Shropshire Cover Online.Qxp Shropshire Cover 01/03/2017 09:55 Page 1

Shropshire Cover Online.qxp_Shropshire Cover 01/03/2017 09:55 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 375 MARCH 2017

STUART GOLDSMITH Shropshire AT HENRY TUDOR HOUSE ’

WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On shropshirewhatson.co.uk

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide (IFC) Shropshire.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 14:41 Page 1 Contents March Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:47 Page 2

March 2017

Contents

Swingamajig - the Midlands most distinctive music festival returns to Digbeth feature on page 28

Mamma Mia! Natasha J. Barnes Jarrod Dickenson the list

West End musical returns to the talks about starring in Funny The Lonesome Traveler returns Your 16-page Midlands. Find out where on Girl on tour to Henry Tudor House week-by-week listings guide page 4 interview page 8 page 14 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 16. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 36. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD march shropshire 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:58 Page 1

First Word

Mamma Mia! It’s a double whammy for Midlands Abba fans Smash-hit Abba musical Mamma Mia! is visiting Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent Theatre next month - and then making another Midlands stop-off early next year at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton. The feelgood award winner shows at the Regent from Tuesday 18 to Saturday 29 April as part of its UK tour. It then visits the Wolverhampton Grand from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 24 February 2018. Commenting on the news, Adrian Jackson, the Grand’s chief executive and artistic director, said: “The inclusion of Mamma Mia! to our 2018 season will give audiences an indi- cation of the calibre of entertainment they can expect in the near future.” To book tickets for the Regent show, call 0844 871 7649 or visit atgtickets.com/stoke. To grab your seat at the Grand next year, call 01902 429212 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk.

Move over, The Big Hoot - been around since 1938 and are an important former since the 1960s has provided me with part of our visitor economy, providing jobs many of the highlights of my life,” said the it’s wolves in Wolves... and generating millions of pounds every year one-time Wizzard star, “and it’s great that by staging nationally acclaimed shows. The Thirty wolf sculptures are to be installed festivals like this one continue to help and importance of their contribution to the visi- around Wolverhampton. develop local talent, as well as giving local tor economy was highlighted by The six feet tall fibre-glass sculptures will be audiences the chance to see performers from Wolverhampton last year making the top 10 fixed onto plinths and will form part of a the national circuit in a major survey of the best live music trail looping around the heart of the city. on their doorstep.” scenes in the UK.” The Wolves In Wolves project calls to mind The festival is this Birmingham’s Big Hoot, which saw a series year taking place of owl sculptures being positioned at loca- Open-air concert set to from 2 to 4 June. tions throughout the city during 2015. rock Shrewsbury For more informa- The wolf sculptures will not be a permanent tion, visit lichfield- fixture across Wolverhampton. It’s expected A host of 1980s pop leg- arts.org.uk that they will be auctioned to raise cash for ends are set to perform charity when the project ends in September. in Shropshire this For more information, email info@wolvesin- spring. The Let’s Rock Award-winning musical wolves.co.uk Shrewsbury retro festi- Sunset Boulevard set to val takes place in the return to Birmingham town’s beautiful Quarry Major investment planned Park on Saturday 27 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning for city’s music venues May. Artists taking part include Billy Ocean, musical Sunset Boulevard is returning to the ABC, Tony Hadley, Heaven 17, Nick Heyward, Birmingham Hippodrome in the autumn. Wolverhampton's Grade II listed Civic Halls Nik Kershaw, T’Pau, The Real Thing, Altered The Tony Award winner, based on Billy venue is being given a £14.4million refur- Images, Brother Beyond and Jaki Graham. Wilder’s legendary film, is being presented bishment. Tickets are priced from £35 and are available by Leicester’s Curve theatre and will star Ria The refurb will increase capacity in both the from letsrockshrewsbury.com Jones as faded silent-screen goddess Norma Civic Hall and Wulfrun Hall and improve the Desmond. hospitality areas. It’s expected that the work Welsh singer Ria was Glenn Close’s West End will be completed by October 2018. Lichfield blues festival understudy in the role last year, receiving Commenting on the refurbishment, gets its very own Wizzard rave reviews and standing ovations when Councillor John Reynolds, City of she took over the part after the Hollywood Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Midlands music legend Roy Wood has star had fallen ill. City Economy, said: “This is an exciting time expressed his delight at becoming the new Sunset Boulevard runs at the Hippodrome in the project, when we will begin to see real patron of the Lichfield Blues & Jazz Festival. from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 November. changes to the Civic Halls. The halls have “My career as a writer, musician and per-

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Entertainment news from around the region

Opera outdoors at Celebrity MasterChef co-host at Stafford Festival Shrewsbury Flower Show 2017 Straight-talking Celebrity MasterChef co-host John Torode is the headline chef at this year’s Shrewsbury Flower Show. John will be enlightening and entertaining visitors on both days of the popular event, which this year takes place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August. Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2017’s Commenting on the news, Society Secretary Simon production of The Tempest looks set to ‘go down a storm’ with theatre- Badrock said: “John is a great personality, and no doubt goers - but it isn’t the only show his passion for good food and great discussion will be a being presented on the Stafford huge success in our Food Hall, where he’ll be demonstrat- Castle open-air stage this year... ing alongside some of Shrewsbury’s home-grown talent.” An operatic performance of Mozart’s One of the country’s premier horticultural events, the mystery drama, The Magic Flute - annual Shrewsbury Flower Show delivers a diverse pro- presented by professional touring company Heritage Opera - will also gramme of attractions and entertainment for all the family take place at the venue during the to enjoy. festival (on Sunday 2 July). As usual, both days’ proceedings will culminate in a Mozart and his librettist, E massed bands arena finale and a spectacular firework dis- Schikaneder, composed the piece in play. the late 18th century. They were greatly influenced in their writing by The Tempest, a fact which makes The Magic Flute the perfect compan- ion piece for this year’s Shakespeare A music hall first for Victorian town production. The Tempest shows at the castle Blists Hill Victorian Town is this month hosting the first in a new from Thursday 22 June to Saturday 8 series of nostalgic music hall evenings. July. Taking place in the Forest Glen Pavilion on Friday 24 March as part of For more information, contact the Ironbridge Gorge Museums’ 50th Anniversary celebrations, the box office on 01785 619080 or visit staffordfestivalshakespeare.com themed evening includes a two-course meal and live piano entertainment, featuring a host of classic Victorian-era songs. Guests are invited to attend dressed in Victorian costume - so dust off those bustles and crinolines and spruce up your top hats and tails! Lichfield to host Tickets at £25 per adult must be pre-booked by calling 01785 252247 10th literary fest or emailing [email protected]. Annual Passport The city of Lichfield is this month Tickets are not valid for the evening and dogs will not be permitted. hosting its 10th literature festival. Bringing together lectures, workshops and interactive events suitable for people of all ages, the festival’s 2017 programme features talks Cirque’s tales of Sir Rod at the Greenhous Meadow about such diverse subjects as Jane the forest, told Rod Stewart is set to combine his love of music and football this Austen, the Reformation of the summer when he performs his latest tour show at Shrewsbury Church, nature walks, chocolate and in the city... the genetic code. Town FC’s Greenhous Meadow stadium. The event also includes a workshop The Maggie May star brings From Gasoline Alley To Another for youngsters explaining ‘how to Country to the venue on Wednesday 7 June. The show is one of create your own comic book’, a only two UK mainland concerts Rod is performing in 2017. writer's retreat, an interactive quiz Tickets for the show have gone on sale at ticketmaster.co.uk night and a special festival party. “To mark a decade of bringing The world famous Cirque authors to Lichfield, we’re present- du Soleil make a welcome ing a varied programme which cele- return to Birmingham this brates literature in all forms,” says month with their signature Festival Director Jennifer Mears. “From children’s books to award- production, Varekai: Tales winning novelists, cutting-edge sci- Of The Forest. ence to new writing, free workshops The spectacular show to writer’s retreats, we hope that vis- reimagines the Greek myth itors will find something here to of Icarus, who perished inspire them.” after flying too close to the The Lichfield Literature Festival takes place at various venues across sun. the city from Wednesday 1 to Sunday The production shows at 5 March. the Genting Arena from For further information, visit lich- Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 fieldfestival.org March. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD march shropshire 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:58 Page 3

First Word

Bake Off winner Candice to Shropshire headline Newport Show premiere of Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown has Dickens classic been lined up to appear at Newport Show’s Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Festival Of Food on 8 July. Society is this month present- The former PE teacher will be demonstrating some ing the Shropshire premiere of her favourite recipes, as well as sharing tips and of A Tale Of Two Cities: The behind-the-scene stories from the Bake Off series. Musical. Commenting on the news, Show President Richard Based on the famous novel by Maddocks said: “With Candice’s passion for home Charles Dickens, the show cooking, she’s a great ambassador for younger gen- tells an epic story of love, sac- erations, so we can’t wait to see what she cooks up rifice and redemption, all for us. Although the show has evolved over the played out against the bloody years, our agricultural roots remain at its heart, backdrop of the French and the Festival Of Food is an extension of that, Revolution. allowing us to expand on the journey from farm to The production is being pre- fork so that people know the important role farm- sented at Shrewsbury’s ers play.” Theatre Severn from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 Earlybird tickets for the event, offering discounts March. on the gate price, are available to buy now at new- portshow.co.uk. Deaffest 2017 A festival aimed at supporting and developing the talents of emerging and established Spinning a yarn Community auditions for Brassed Off deaf filmmakers and artists is taking place at the Light in Staffordshire Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is next month holding auditions for House Media Centre in selected roles in a brand new production of Brassed Off. A 600-acre farm near Wolverhampton from 12 to 14 The auditions take place at Newhampton Arts Centre on Saturday 1 and Penkridge in Staffordshire is May. Sunday 2 April. Auditionees may be required to attend both audition set to host a brand new The annual Deaffest event days. Those who are selected will also need to attend all rehearsals for wool and yarn festival. showcases films and docu- which they’re called within the rehearsal period. Anyone wishing to Wool@J13 will take place mentaries by international audition must also be available for all performances. just one mile from Junction filmmakers. It also includes Brassed Off is the first major show to be produced in-house at the Grand exhibitions, seminars, work- 13 of the M6 - hence the for more than 40 years. It runs at the venue from Wednesday 23 August to shops and parties. event’s name - on Saturday Saturday 2 September. For more information, visit 13 & Sunday 14 May. deaffest.co.uk The festival is being organ- ised by Staffordshire-based wool artist Ingrid Wagner in New show displays Seven Ancient Lulu heading collaboration with Val Wonders of the World - Lego style! out on tour James, who runs a successful farm attraction. Visitors to Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be able to check out the Seven Scottish singing star Lulu will “We want to offer visitors a Wonders of the Ancient World next month. this autumn visit Theatre great experience,” says The famous constructions, which include the Colossus of Rhodes, the Severn in Shrewsbury and Ingrid. “The opportunity to Statue of Zeus and the perhaps-mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Wolverhampton’s Grand discover new exhibitors is a all feature in a new exhibition celebrating the versatility of Lego bricks. Theatre as part of her biggest- huge part of that, so we Brick Wonders will also include models of modern and natural wonders, ever UK tour. The Grammy-nominated per- encouraged those who are including the Great Barrier Reef. The exhibition shows from 7 April to 4 former, whose career hits taking the plunge and set- July. include Shout and To Sir With ting up wool and yarn- Love, will appear at Theatre based businesses to be a Severn on Wednesday 25 part of our event. Overall, Time to get those walking boots out... October and Wolves Grand on we’ve had a great response Sunday the 29th. The Ironbridge Gorge Walking Festival is returning for a 12th year late from exhibitors both well- Commenting on her All About next month. known and brand new, so The Music tour, Lulu said, “I the shopping experience The popular event takes place across nine days and offers participants absolutely love playing live really will be buzzing.” the chance to enjoy a programme of themed walks and family-friendly and can’t wait to be out on For more details and to trails. the road again in autumn this book tickets, visit wool- The festival comprises 57 walks and takes place from Saturday 29 April to year. My life has always been j13.co.uk. Sunday 7 May. All walks are free but pre-booking is essential. all about the music, so come To reserve a place, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre by and join me again - or for the email at [email protected] or call 01952 433 424. For more details first time - and let’s have a about the walks, visit ironbridgewalking.co.uk great night together.”

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FEATURE

“Nobody is gonna rain on my parade” Natasha J Barnes talks about starring in Funny Girl on tour

What's the use of being a sensation if you never get the opportunity to show it? In Jule Styne and Isobel Lennart's iconic 1963 musical, Funny Girl, the unconventional Fanny Brice makes it big against the odds, thanks to a winning combination of hard work, determination and a lucky break. She's not the only one. When leading lady Sheridan Smith was forced to take time out from performing in the show's West End run last year, understudy Natasha Barnes was called upon at short notice to step up to the plate. Audiences who'd booked tickets in the hope of seeing Smith went in sceptical - Sheridan's shoes are undeniably hard to fill - but almost every one of them came out converted. As Fanny Brice would have it, Barnes was just an untried bagel on a plate full of onion rolls - all it took for people to be blown away by her was for someone to give her a chance. “I've understudied for a few things before, and for whatever reason you don't always get to play the part,” says Barnes. “So just having the opportunity to go on is amazing, but even though I'd done all the work in the rehearsals, I'm not sure how prepared I actually was. On the first night, I was just surprised I got through it, and then when everyone stood at the end, it was one of the best moments of my life. It was what I've wanted ever since I was little, and to see that people were really enjoying it was really special. I'm still grateful for it now.” The reviews were gushing, declaring her in no uncertain terms as good as Smith, and heralding her as a bright new star in the musical theatre firmament. So well did her performances go down that as the production embarks on a UK-wide tour in

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by Heather Kincaid

2017, Smith and Barnes will share the role larger than life. She's a very strong that's been a shock. There's the between them, alternating performances woman, a real fireball and quite ahead of enormously demanding schedule, too. at different venues. To some extent, the her time. She's also very funny and really Fortunately, the West End run has left pair each make the role their own, but wears her heart on her sleeve. She doesn't Barnes much better prepared for this whomever they see leading the show, hide anything. So it's all about trying to be year's tour, furnishing her with the audiences are guaranteed a real treat. as open and as full of light as you can be.” wisdom and experience to ensure she doesn't burn out when she hits the road. “I think my take really came out of the That aside, in many ways the part might West End run. When I first started out, I have been tailor-made for Barnes. The “It's a bit like driving a car, when you're did quite a close representation of what parallels between her own and Fanny's learning how to make the engine run as Sheridan did, until over time the journeys to success have not escaped smoothly as possible so that you don't character sort of became mine. The tour is comment so far. It's also a fantastic part stall it or blow it out or overheat it by just a chance for both of us to bring what for an emerging talent in terms of putting it through too much. After the first we did in London to the rest of the showcasing great range, with Fanny night, when I woke up the next morning, I country, while still keeping it fresh and growing steadily older and wiser as the felt like I'd been hit by a bus! I was so making sure it's just as special as the first play progresses. The story covers several tired and couldn't imagine how I was time round.” years of Brice's life, from her teens going to do it for eight shows a week - through to her thirties, with Barnes falling that's something you have to learn to Of course, Smith's isn't the only right in the middle of the range. manage quite quickly. But I think you performance Barnes has had to live up to. have to do a few shows, get it wrong a few For many, the show will be forever “I did worry about it a bit at first, whether times, maybe work a bit too hard or be a associated with Barbra Streisand, who or not I could play someone older than bit under-energised until you can get to originally played the part both on stage me. But it's a really well-fleshed-out part, that sweet spot where you can give it 110% and screen. It's partly this, thinks Barnes, and you do get a sense of moving through but not exhaust yourself so much that you that's kept directors from taking it up time with her - it's something that can't do it the next day. I mean, on a again for decades - prior to last year's run, happens very naturally with each song. matinee day you're singing nearly 28 it had been an incredible 50 years since The show picks up with the older Fanny songs, which is huge for anybody, so it's Funny Girl last showed in the West End. sitting at her dressing table, and then just about pacing yourself and treating it shoots back to show her at age 15. And “When you have somebody as iconic as like a marathon rather than a sprint.” luckily, from that point on, it’s straight Streisand, you really have to find the right through until the end of the show, so This will be the young performer's first person to follow them. I think Sheridan is there's not too much jumping around in time touring, and she's certainly looking one of the greatest female comedians of time. I have to say that the first 20 minutes forward to the fresh sights and new our generation, so it was very much her of the show are a bit of a sprint because experiences her visits to the Midlands and work that was the starting point for this when she's younger, you have to be much elsewhere will bring. production. But it’s interesting that it's more energetic and use your body a lot.” made a comeback now, because it’s being “I've never done the living-out-of-a- referenced in a lot of things, and also it's a For Barnes, who can remember singing suitcase thing before. I'm actually really time when you have all sorts of people, songs from the show at the age of six or looking forward to being on the road like Amy Schumer, really getting their seven, Funny Girl has been the because I get very into my work. I think moment to celebrate the funny in being opportunity of a lifetime, and something it's a lot easier to get fully inside a show or female. I think it's great that as actresses for which she feels she's been preparing a role when you don't have the we have more opportunities now to take for almost as long as she can remember. distractions of everyday life around you. centre stage and play roles that are a bit But also I'm looking forward to seeing a “I think I first watched the film with my silly.” bit of my country, especially Scotland and nan on a Sunday afternoon. At the time, I all the places I haven't been to, including Then there's the fact that the story is semi- was really young, and all I thought then Stoke. I keep looking up things to do - it biographical, inspired by the true story of was, 'God, that lady's got a good voice'. feels a little bit like being Alice in the real-life theatrical gamechanger Fanny The film and the show do have some Wonderland.” Brice who, in the early 20th century, had differences, though - a lot of the book was to fight against preconceptions of what a rewritten, and they've worked quite female performer should and shouldn't closely with the estate of Fanny Brice and Funny Girl - starring Natasha J Barnes - be. the original writers. I think it feels a lot shows at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- more modern now - it snaps along at quite “She's a funny old character to play Trent, from 28 March to 1 April, and at a fast pace, whereas the film was quite because she was a real person. You don't the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre long.” want to do an impression but there are from 24 to 29 July. certain things you have to honour in the Naturally, being lauded as the next big It visits Birmingham Hippodrome from performance - like she was known for thing in musicals has taken some getting 8 to 13 May, with Sheridan Smith in the really big facial expressions and for being used to, and it's not just the publicity lead role of Fanny Brice

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Food

Owners of iconic London restaurant on Michelin-starred Birmingham chef aiming the lookout for premises in Birmingham to get saucy in his home city of Lichfield A company which owns a popular celebrity Lichfield-born Michelin-starred chef Richard Turner is this month haunt in London has confirmed that it plans to heading back to his home city to showcase his culinary skills at a open a new restaurant in Birmingham. special dining event. Located in the West End, the Ivy Collection Taking place at Lichfield’s Wine House restaurant on Monday 20 group’s flagship venue, The Ivy, is celebrating March, the Sauce Supper Club evening will see Richard presenting a its centenary this year. menu to reflect the relaxed style of dining he favours at his award- The restaurant’s long list of modern-day winning Harborne restaurant, Turners At 69. celebrity diners includes Madonna, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, “Our new-look restaurant has proved a great hit,” says Richard. Simon Cowell, and David and Victoria Beckham. “We’re open for more hours and serving the best produce available The Ivy Collection group also has four other restaurants in the capi- at competitive prices. I look forward to welcoming old friends and tal and one in Bristol. new at the Wine House to showcase our new style.” The company is known to be looking for a suitable premises in The Sauce Supper Club is a series of ‘pop-up kitchen’ events bringing Birmingham, with the intention of bringing ‘the familiar luxury of together ‘the finest ingredients and chefs to deliver a memorable The Ivy’ to the second city. gourmet experience’.

absolutely delicious. The black lemon-and-lime cheesecake pudding was warm and melted served with double cream. My in the mouth, the sauce was a partner opted for the Belgium perfect accompaniment. It was a waffle with toffee sauce and ice simple dish, executed perfectly - cream. They both proved to be as a theme that continued through- naughty as they sounded, out the evening. extremely tasty and a great end My partner opted for the Russian to the evening. red caviar ‘Ikra’, served on a bed As well as the restaurant, the of smoked salmon, with bread, Horseshoes features five rooms butter and fresh lemon. Both the that can be rented out per night caviar and the salmon were of a or on a weekly or monthly basis. high quality, and the dish proved The restaurant can also be rent- to be another tasty plate of food. ed out privately and boasts For my main course, I chose the ample space for live music enter- slow-roasted Welsh leg of lamb, tainment, making it ideal for served with butter mashed pota- parties and drinks receptions toes and minted Madeira sauce. alike. In addition, a private din- It was one of the nicest lamb ing room can cater for up to 14 dishes I’ve ever tasted. The meat guests, for smaller, more inti- was cooked to perfection, pro- mate events. viding a gorgeous flavour and Overall, our visit to Dorrington’s texture. There was a lot of it too, Horseshoes was a very enjoyable REVIEW: Dorrington’s Horseshoes which is always a winner in my one. The food was fantastic and Shropshire favourite serves up the book! The dish came with a side the service exemplary. We’ll cer- of seasonal vegetables and tainly be returning in the future best of British with a personal touch boiled potatoes (in addition to to sample more of the top-quali- the mash) - a really enjoyable ty dishes on offer. With the site dating back over coming owner, Tanya, intro- main course indeed. Lauren Foster 300 years, popular Shropshire duced herself and gave us a bit My partner chose the premium restaurant Dorrington’s of background information fish fillet burger, served with Horseshoes prides itself on serv- about the venue, explaining how homemade tartar sauce, triple Food: n n n n n ing authentic British dishes long she’d had it for and what cooked chips and a salad. As Service: n n n n n using high-quality, locally she’d changed since taking over. with the lamb, the fish was Ambience: n n n n n sourced ingredients. We were certainly off to a good cooked perfectly, the batter crisp Overall value n n n n n Having visited a number of times start. It’s personal touches like to just the right degree. The tar- OVERALL n n n n n previously, and aware that it was that which really make for a tar sauce was delicious, the now under new ownership, I memorable visit. chips nicely cooked. Dorrington’s Horseshoes was intrigued to see what the To start, I opted for the butcher’s Main Road Although both suitably full, we venue’s latest incumbent had special black pudding, served in Dorrington, had just about enough room to Shrewsbury done with the place. bacon with a peppercorn sauce squeeze in dessert. I chose the SY5 7JD Tel: 01743 718305 On arrival, the friendly and wel- and bread and butter. It was whatsonlive.co.uk 11 FOOD March - SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 16:45 Page 3 3 OF SHREWSBURY’S BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS

all located opposite the historic and beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey!

Cafe Bar & Restaurant Ramen Noodle Bar Bar & Restaurant www.thepeachtree.co.uk www.momonoki.co.uk www.havanarepublic.co.uk

ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 FOOD March - SHROPS_STAFFS_WOLVES.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 16:45 Page 4

Food

Bridgnorth set to sing the blues The Shropshire town of Bridgnorth is set to get its own blues-themed cafe. Specialising in authentic American cuisine, The Riverside Blues Cafe & Music Rooms will take its inspiration from pre-1950s southern American delta blues music. The venue is owned by Secret Supper event aiming to help Shrewsbury-based charity Wolverhampton-based Ashley Edwards - a mem- A popular charity event that sees guests dining in the launch of the 2017 Shrewsbury Food Festival, ber of Midlands blues three 'secret' restaurants in just one evening returns this special dining experience begins with a wel- band Creepin' Six - and to Shrewsbury next month. come drink at Tanners Wines before we visit three will host live music as well The Secret Supper is being held in aid of 'secret' restaurants. as guitar, drums, vocal, Shrewsbury-based charity Self Help Africa, an “The event is now in its fourth year and has grown bass and piano lessons. organisation that works in nine of the continent’s year on year. In 2016, we welcomed 228 guests The cafe is expected to countries to help rid rural Africa of famine and across six restaurants and raised an amazing £4,629 open late next month or in poverty. for Self Help Africa.” early May. Commenting on the event, Self Help Africa’s Secret Supper takes place on Tuesday 25 April. Fundraising Officer, Steph Smith, said: “Marking For further details, visit selfhelpafrica.org

ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Food Festivals Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 17:28 Page 1 Food Festivals Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 17:28 Page 2

food, glorious food...

Food festivals are becoming as much a staple of the British summer as Pimms, strawberries and Wimbledon. We all love eating alfresco (don’t we?), so what better way to sample locally grown produce and freshly made dishes than by attending one or more of the many food festivals taking place across the Midlands in the coming months...

BIRMINGHAM VIVA! VEGAN FESTIVAL With over 150 KENILWORTH FOOD FESTIVAL Hosting the region’s Fancy something stronger? stalls, talks throughout the day, cookery demos very best food and drink vendors, with over 40 and lots of other activities, Sat 15 April, Macdonald stalls selling tasty goodies to savour on-site or to STOURBRIDGE GIN FESTIVAL Burlington Hotel, Birmingham take home, Sun 30 July, Abbey Fields, Kenilworth Over 80 gins will be available, sourced from all over the British Isles and EASTNOR CHILLI FESTIVAL Now in its sixth year, with WORCESTER FOODIE FESTIVAL Following the great beyond, with a wide range of mixers and fruits to all things chilli to try and buy, Sun 30 April - Mon 1 success of last year’s event, the festival returns match, Thurs 6 - Sun 9 April, Green Duck Beer Co., May, Eastnor Castle ‘bigger and better’, with over 70 stalls offering deli- Stourbridge cious food and drink from local businesses, Sat 5 - LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL (SPRING) Proving that Lud- THE BOATHOUSE CIDER FESTIVAL Sun 6 August, Worcester The pub’s first ever low doesn’t do things by halves, the Spring Festival cider festival, with a great selection of ciders to is a celebration of all things British, packing a LICHFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL Following the roaring suc- choose from, Fri 14 April, The Boathouse, Shrews- slightly different punch to its older counterpart, Sat cess of last year's edition, the Three Spires Shop- bury 13 - Sun 14 May, Ludlow Castle ping Centre once again plays host to ‘a fantastic THE NEW INN GIN FESTIVAL With over 70 gins from THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Artisan food mar- weekend of edible delights’, Sat 26 - Mon 28 Au- gust, Lichfield Town Centre the UK and overseas making an appearance, the ket, food challenges and competitions, live music, festival runs over two days this year due to de- children’s entertainment, foodie demonstrations NANTWICH FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Boasting over mand, Sat 27 - Sun 28 May, The New Inn, Newport and so much more, Sat 27 - Mon 29 May, Weston 200 traders spread between two indoor gourmet GIN FESTIVAL STOKE Park, Staffordshire market halls, and street food vendors from across Gin Festival is making its first ever trip to Stoke-on-Trent and features more than WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL Back for the third year, the the globe, Fri 1 - Sun 3 September, Nantwich Town Centre 100 gins, including some which aren’t available event is a celebration of all things local to Warwick, anywhere else, Fri 23 - Sat 24 June, Victoria Hall, Sun 28 May, Market Square, Warwick TELFOOD FEASTIVAL More than 130 of the region’s Stoke-on-Trent best food, drink and craft producers descend on THE GREAT MALVERN FOOD FESTIVAL Over 60 stalls of BIRMINGHAM RUM FESTIVAL Telford’s Southwater development for a second After a sellout first year, locally produced food, drink and crafts. The BBC’s the festival returns with rum sampling, cocktail Cooking Food Theatre features demonstrations, year, Sat 2 - Sun 3 September, QEII Arena, Telford, Shropshire mixology, live music and street food, Sat 1 July, talks and displays, Mon 29 May, Great Malvern Pri- The Cuban Embassy, Birmingham ory ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL Now in its 10th year, the festival yet again features Sat 1 - Sun 2 July, BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW SUMMER Bringing the best The Custard Factory, Birmingham food, drink and culinary experts from the BBC to an action-packed programme, Sat 9 - Sun 10 Sep- STAFFORD BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL Birmingham, Thurs 15 - Sun 18 June, NEC, Birm- tember, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Celebrating its ingham MOLD FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL Recognised as one 10th year and featuring a wide selection of beers, of the best and most successful festivals in Wales, ciders, perry and country wines, Thurs 27 - Sun 29 DROITWICH SPA FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL With approx- July, Blessed William Howard School, Stafford imately 100 producers hailing from Droitwich and Mold attracts more than 13,000 visitors and 120 BIRMINGHAM WHISKY FESTIVAL within a 30-mile radius, Sat 17 June, The Lido Park, food and drink producers every year, Sat 16 - Sun A chance to sample Droitwich Spa 17 September, Mold, Wales the best of Scottish homegrown whiskies and a se- STONE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL The festival has lection from all over the world, Sat 25 November, ELLESMERE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Showcasing im- The Council House, Birmingham pressive varieties of top-quality produce from local grown from humble beginnings in the town’s Geor- SHREWSBURY BEER FESTIVAL and regional producers, suppliers and restaurants, gian High Street to become one of the Midlands’ Expect plenty of rare Sat 17 - Sun 18 June, Ellesmere, Shropshire biggest and busiest food festivals, Fri 6 - Sun 8 Oc- and exotic beers, plus cider, perry and country tober, Westbridge Park, Stone, Staffordshire wines, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 September, Morris Hall, SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL Returning for another Shrewsbury, Shropshire year, Shrewsbury Food Festival features hundreds CODSALL BEER FESTIVAL of artisan food, drink and craft producers showcas- Forty individual real ales ing Shropshire’s fine food and drink, Sat 24 - Sun from independent and local breweries and ciders 25 June, The Quarry Park, Shrewsbury from across the West Midlands and beyond, Fri 6 - Sat 7 October, Codsall Village Hall, Wolverhampton COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Bringing the finest hospi- SHROPSHIRE OKTOBERFEST AND BEER FESTIVAL tality venues of the Colmore Business District to- From gether for one weekend, Fri 30 June - Sat 1 July, the organisers of Shrewsbury Food Festival comes Colmore Row, Birmingham a brand new festival with over 150 real ales, ciders, bubbles and more, Fri 6 - Sun 8 October, The COSFORD FOOD FESTIVAL Featuring a tasty line-up of HAMPER LLANGOLLEN 2017 Voted by the Telegraph Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire over 80 local producers and serving up ‘the very national newspaper as one of the top 10 food festi- best food and drink the Midlands has to offer’, Sat vals in the UK, Sat 14 - Sun 15 October, Llangollen 22 - Sun 23 July, RAF Museum Cosford Pavilion

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Gigs

Fatherson The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 13 March Glaswegian three-piece Fatherson have made plenty of waves on the music scene since their inception in 2010, along the way releas- ing debut album I Am An Island in 2013 and playing support slots for Frightened Rabbit, Twin Atlantic and Enter Shikari. They released their second album, Open Book, to great critical acclaim in summer 2016, and have undertaken this current headline European tour after supporting Augustines last winter. “It’s always strange, especially when you’ve already released an album,” guitarist and vocalist Ross Leighton tells The Student Pocket Guide. “People will come see you because they wanna hear the songs they know. If you go see a band under a new album cycle and they sort of play 60 percent new and 40 percent old tunes, ya know people are like, ‘this is rubbish’ - so we’re trying to keep them to a minimum.”

Amy Macdonald Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 30 March Twenty-nine-year-old singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald has released three albums and sold over five million records worldwide - including 1.5 million here in the UK. She’s performed to over three million people across the world and spent last summer splitting her time between recording in the studio and headlining festivals across Europe. Macdonald rose to fame back in 2007 with the release of her debut album, This Is The Life, and has since won plenty of silverware, including the 2011 Echo Award for Best International Rock/Pop Female. See her at Symphony Hall as she embarks on her first tour in four years.

Jarrod Dickenson Ian Prowse Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Mon 27 March Fri 24 March Texas-born Jarrod Dickenson’s critically English singer-songwriter Ian is currently acclaimed album, The Lonesome Traveler, frontman of Liverpool pop/rock group saw him tour with Laura Marling (see oppo- Amsterdam, having previously played with site page), David Bromberg, John Fullbright, Cheshire indie rockers Pele. Duke Special and David Ford. The 25th anniversary of Pele’s debut album, His EP, Songs From Willow St, enjoyed plenty Fireworks, is being celebrated with a limited- of BBC airplay from radio hosts including edition reissue - including a vinyl pressing Cerys Matthews and Dermot O’Leary. and live bootleg album - and this current UK Dickenson returns to Shrewsbury’s Henry tour. Prowse and his six-piece band will play Tudor House following his sell-out show the album in its entirety, as well as some there last year. Amsterdam classics. 16 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - March - Shrops_Staffs_Wolves.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 16:49 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

Craig David Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 24 March Best known for hits such as 7 Days, I’m Walking Away and Re-Rewind with Artful Dodger, Craig David has sold over 15 million albums, achieved 16 top-ten hits and reached multi- platinum status in more than 20 countries. See him in Birmingham as part of his Following My Intuition arena tour, his biggest in the UK for 15 years.

Laura Marling nated for a Mercury Music Prize - as was second album I Speak Because I Can in 2010 O2 Institute, Birmingham, Thurs 14 March and fourth album Once I Was An Eagle in Singer-songwriter Laura is one of the most 2013. talented and prolific young musicians of her Voted Best British Female Solo Artist at the generation. She came to prominence back in 2011 Brit Awards, she’s now back on the 2008 with the release of her debut offering, road in support of her highly anticipated Emeli Sandé Alas, I Cannot Swim. The album was nomi- sixth album, Semper Femina. O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sun 19 March Recording artist and songwriter Emeli Sandé first came to promi- Stiff Little Fingers Slaves nence when she featured on rapper The Robin, Bilston, Tues 14 March The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, Chipmunk’s 2009 track, Diamond Mon 27 March Rings. Having since established her- Featuring Laurie Vincent on guitar, bass and self as one of the UK’s most revered vocals and Isaac Holman on drums and artists, she returns to the stage this vocals, English punk duo Slaves peaked at month in support of the critically number eight in the charts with their acclaimed Long Live The Angels, an Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut album described as ‘a mesmerising album, Are You Satisfied. journey’ through the last four years Their second offering, Take Control, fared of Sandé’s extraordinary life. even better, reaching number six in the charts in its first week. The Weeknd Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Mon 13 March Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling music artist The Weeknd released three nine-track mixtapes to great This punk-rock group from Belfast haven’t acclaim in 2011 - House Of Balloons, had the smoothest of careers. They started Thursday and Echoes Of Silence. A compila- out as a schoolboy band called Highway tion album, Trilogy, followed in 2012, Star, doing rock covers until they discovered released under both Republic Records and punk. After six years and four albums, they his own label, OX. split up, reforming five years later in 1987. He’s visiting Birmingham as part of his first Lead singer Jake Burns is the only member ever world tour, Starboy: Legend Of The to have been with the band throughout. Fall. Despite major personnel changes, 2014 saw the release of their 10th studio album, No Going Back.

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Classical Music

Nigel Kennedy And Friends Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 11 March Perhaps in an attempt to distract himself from the frustrations that are part and parcel of supporting Aston Villa Football Club, maverick violinist Nigel Kennedy has headed out on tour with this special gala celebration show. The concert sees him performing a wide- ranging repertoire that features new works and greatest hits, world music, jazz, classical and a selection of music from composers as diverse as Bach and Jimi Hendrix. Halle Orchestra: The Firebird Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 24 March The Manchester-based Halle has been a real force to be reckoned with since performing its first concert over 150 years ago. Although the orchestra is renowned for its affinity with English music - particularly the works of Elgar and Delius - it’s here presenting a concert featuring pieces by Sibelius (En Saga), Rachmaninov (Piano Concerto No 2) and Stravinsky (The Firebird: 1945 Suite). Lahav Shani leads the orchestra on what’s being described as ‘a gloriously colourful ride’. Russian classical pianist Sofya Gulyak (pictured) performs the Rachmaninov concerto.

Birmingham Bach Choir Carducci String Quartet Lichfield Cathedral, Sat 11 March Shrewsbury School, Sun 26 March One of the city's oldest and most distin- guished musical groups here gets its collective teeth into a work which has never before been performed in the Midlands. Of the four Passions which JS Bach wrote, only two - St Matthew and St John - have survived in their entirety. The St Mark Passion is a ‘parody’ work, having been mainly compiled from music Bach had already composed for other purposes. First performed in Leipzig on Good Ensemble 360 Friday 1731, the score of the music has New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, since disappeared, leaving only the text Staffs, Mon 13 March by Christian Friedrich Henrici, writing Ensemble 360 has a fast-growing reputa- under the pen name of ‘Picander’. tion for its ability to engage with different The survival of Henrici’s libretto has audiences and age groups. Its 11 interna- allowed Bach's music to be reconstruct- tionally recognised musicians share the ed, a task undertaken by Andor Gomme belief that concerts should be informal, in 1997. In doing so, he made use of Performing around 100 international con- friendly, relaxed and, where possible, per- recitatives and turba choruses from the certs each year, the 2016 recipients of the formed ‘in the round’. St Mark Passion of Reinhard Keiser, an prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society The programme features works by older contemporary of Bach. award for chamber music are regarded as Mozart, William Hurlstone, Schumann, Paul Spicer conducts. one of the most successful string quartets in Sofia Gubaidalina and Glinka. the business. Indeed, the Washington Post described their performance in a recent concert as ‘extravagantly beautiful’. The quartet here make their first of three Shropshire Music season appearances, presenting Beethoven’s stormy Serioso quartet, Shostakovich’s cryptic 11th quartet and Brahms’ epic piano quintet masterpiece. 18 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical Wolves_Shrops March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 12:43 Page 2 Comedy March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:17 Page 1

Comedy

Natalie Cutler: Not Yet Suffragette Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 19 March; mac, Birmingham, Thurs 23 March The tampon tax, public breast-feeding, marriage, child birth and the gender pay gap are among the subjects being given a thorough airing by Natalie Cutler in her one-woman show - an hour’s-worth of performance that brings together comedy, music, dance and political incorrectness. “It’s a show about how far we’ve not come and the reasons why,” explains Natalie. “Women are still being asked the same questions and told the same things - ‘How come you’re not married? How come you don’t have a baby? You should dress like this, don’t dress like that’. They’re all the same issues that were there 100 years ago. But there are plenty of people in the world trying to address inequality - my show doesn’t pretend to have any answers, it simply takes a look at where we’ve travelled over the last century. “I’m very much a satirical comedian and believe in the old adage of ‘first make an audience laugh, then make them think’. With this show, it was very important to me that I included material on subjects that weren’t commonly known about. For instance, I have a whole section based around the fact that there are currently 17 women serving life sentences in El Salvador because of miscarriage. Abortion is illegal in the country, and miscarriage is considered to be abortion and the woman’s fault.” So is Natalie welcoming of men in her audience? “Absolutely. It’s feminist comedy, but I don’t spend the hour bashing men. A lot of guys who see the show don’t get it. And why would they? They don’t have the issues. The ones who do respond to it tend to be younger, and a lot of them absolutely see where I’m coming from.”

Six of the best...

Russell Stuart Tom Allen & Howard Goldsmith Suzi Ruffell Genting Arena, Henry Tudor House, Edge Arts Centre, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Much Wenlock, Fri 17 - Sat 18 March Thurs 9 March Fri 17 March; Brewhouse Arts According to his “Whether cheering Centre, Burton-on- mother, reveals up a distressed child, Trent, Sat 18 March Russell Howard, his helping prevent a Two talented comedi- comic style calls to riot, or genuinely ans for the price of mind a child telling saving another one is the deal on people about his day at the zoo. human's actual life, I’m excellent in a crisis,” offer here, with Tom and Suzi each taking an And in fairness, Mrs H’s assessment is a pret- says Stuart Goldsmith. “When the chips hour of the show and performing their ty accurate one. aren't down, however, it's a very different Edinburgh Fringe routines. Well known for the BBC Three TV series story.” Allen is a master of camp comedy. Often Russell Howard's Good News, the Bristol- Goldsmith says this sixth solo show is about likened in style to legendary raconteurs born funnyman is here making a return to ‘embracing anxiety, conquering indecision Kenneth Williams and Frankie Howard, he the live stage for the first time in three years, and getting tasered’. It focuses on the also doffs his comedian’s cap in the direction taking on the challenge of his biggest global always-rich subject matter of being middle- of McIntyre and Izzard. This latest show is tour to date. aged, the experience of parenting and the his eighth solo offering and derives much of Gags include: “Have people always been this challenges of leaving the city for a life in the its material from experiences which hap- angry? I've got a funny idea that before the countryside. pened in his childhood... internet, people were just writing ‘f*** you’ His jokes include: “My friend Kim is on every Ruffell looks back to her own formative years and attaching it to pigeons,” and “I lost my single dating website. She refers to them all for her inspiration too. Gay, quirky and virginity under a bridge. I was having sex as the ‘husband directory’, but behind her delightfully self-deprecating, she’s certainly with this poor girl and I was trying my best, back we call it the Screwfix catalogue.” making good progress in the world of stand- but I was like Scotland at a World Cup - just up comedy, presenting an unquestionably pleased to be there.” likeable persona as she waxes lyrical about her mother’s fashion sense and her father’s ‘dodgy’ jobs. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:17 Page 2

Comedy previews from around the region

Count Arthur Strong: The Sound Of Mucus Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 March; Malvern Theatres, Fri 24 March After years of success on BBC Radio Four and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Count Arthur Strong - or ‘the Count’, as he’s otherwise known - finally made it onto the nation’s television screens in 2013, starring in a sitcom that was co-written by the character’s creator, Steve Delaney, and the man behind Father Ted, Graham Linehan. A third series of the show is due to be screened this month. “Isn't it wonderful,” says Arthur, “that you can just turn on the telly after a hard day at the abattoir and there I am, smiling back at you, in my own programme again and again.” If you’ve not yet enjoyed a live performance by the Doncaster-born doyen of light entertainment, this tour is an excellent opportunity to do so. Entitled The Sound Of Mucus, the new show pays tribute to one of the best musicals Arthur can remember. Not that the former variety star is blessed with much of a memory, mind you. And as for his battery of befuddlements and propensity for mirthful malapropisms - well let’s just say that they provide exceptionally effective starting points for some truly top-grade comedy. “With each live show I’ve done, I’ve found out a little bit more about Arthur,” explains Steve Delaney in talking about the character he created. “If I watch footage from the early days, he looks like the bones of something, but he’s definitely continued to develop, and that’s very important. Simply reproducing what I’ve done before would neither be as much fun nor as interesting.”

Tony Law: Jasper Carrott and Hal Royal Spa Centre, Alistair McGowan Cruttenden Leamington Spa, Thurs 16 March Belgrade Theatre, Mon 13 - Thurs 16 March; The Bramall, The Place, Oakengates, Telford, 25 - 27 March Birmingham, Zany alternative Thurs 16 March Midlands laughter legends Jasper and comedy is Canadian Given that he’s so Alistair are stopping off at plenty of the funnyman Tony much more than ‘just region’s theatres and comedy venues during Law's stock-in-trade, another stand-up’, the course of their long-running tour. a fact which means Hal Cruttenden Jasper’s been plying his trade for many a his audience is guar- must’ve been delight- decade now, with career highs including anteed an evening of truly off-the-wall, ed when the Daily Telegraph wrote of him: numerous television series and a chartbust- boundary-defying stand-up. ‘He’s naturally funny, but he’s evolving into ing mid-’70s hit with hugely amusing song So if you like your comedians to be touched something more challenging and provocative Funky Moped. with genius while at the same time prone to than some jolly-faced follower in the foot- Worcestershire-born Alistair has followed in meander off-topic with gag-laden dialogues, steps of Michael McIntyre’. the footsteps of Mike Yarwood and Phil Cool Tony is definitely the fella for you. Alongside his comedy, Hal’s also an oft-seen to become one of the country’s most revered If, on the other hand, surreal comedy really actor, having appeared in TV shows includ- impressionists. He’s also worked extensively isn’t your thing, you may well be hard- ing EastEnders and Kavanagh QC, and on in the theatre, appearing in shows including pressed to get into the spirit of the evening. film in Mrs Dalloway and The Madness Of Little Shop Of Horrors, for which he received Previous shows have seen Tony chat to his King George. an Olivier Award nomination. audience about a lizard-moose who can see As a comic, he places great emphasis on the future, and channel the spirit of a late cleverly constructed punchlines, and is and little-known comedian whose act always happy to ridicule himself in the name involved him impersonating RAF fly-pasts. of comedy. Quite what Mr Law will choose to focus on Hal is here joined by fellow funnymen Alan during his Leamington show is anyone’s Hudson and compere-for-the-evening Paddy guess. Lennox. He’s appearing at the Bramall as part of the venue’s monthly comedy night.

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Billy Elliot ing the Midlands as part of its first ever UK tour. “Billy Elliot tells two different stories about trying to overcome adver- Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 7 March - Sat 29 April sity,” says Scott Garnham, who plays Billy's older brother and local Based on the hit movie of the same name, Billy Elliot is set in the strike ringleader, Tony. “One is about a little boy trying to escape his north east of England against the backdrop of the historic 1980s min- environment, the other is about the strike. And where one succeeds, ers' strike. the other fails spectacularly. Billy wants to be a dancer but feels that he must keep his ambition “When we take the show to places near mining communities, I feel secret, to avoid the disapproval of his struggling family... like they really get what we're trying to say with our story. In The award-winning show - it’s bagged 10 Tonys and five Olivier Sunderland, you could see fully-grown men crying in the audience Awards - features the iconic music of Sir Elton John and is here visit- when we talked about how there'd be no pits left in 10 years’ time.”

The Commitments Pink Mist Oyster Boy New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 12 March; The Old Mon 13 - Sat 18 March Thurs 23 - Sat 25 March Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 24 March Roddy Doyle’s smash-hit musical adaptation Pink Mist is a military term for the blood All-female physical-theatre company Haste of his own bestselling novel follows on from spray that hangs in the air following an are the award-winning creatives behind this the Bafta-bagging movie version that attack by a sniper or the explosion of a road- bittersweet tale about the trials of love. chalked up a huge international success way side bomb. It’s a dramatic title for an equally Blending physical storytelling, clowning, live back in the early 1990s. dramatic work of theatre, originally written singing, dancing and puppetry, the show As with book and film, the stage show finds by Owen Sheers for radio broadcast. tells the story of Italian ice-cream seller Jim, working-class music fan Jimmy Rabbitte Arthur, Hads and Taff played at war with a his whirlwind 1950s romance with Alice, and inspiring an unlikely bunch of amateur youthful enthusiasm when in the school the way in which their lives are turned musicians and friends to become the finest playground - but now, barely out of their upside-down by the arrival of their first soul band Dublin has ever produced. teens and posted to Afghanistan, they find child, a boy born with a head that’s shaped Along the way, the band treats the audience that the realities of conflict are an altogether like an oyster to more than 20 gold-star soul classics, different experience... shell. including: Night Train; Try A Little Inspired by 30 interviews with returned ser- Running for Tenderness; River Deep, Mountain High; In vicemen, Pink Mist reflects on the physical approximately The Midnight Hour; Papa Was A Rolling and psychological aftershocks of war - and 60 minutes, the Stone; Mustang Sally; and I Heard It Through the price paid not only by the soldiers them- show is suitable The Grapevine. selves but also by the families they leave for audience The cast is headed by Kevin Kennedy, best behind. members aged known for playing the character of Curly The production visits Birmingham following eight-plus. Watts in Coronation Street. an acclaimed run at Bristol Old Vic.

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Shirley Valentine DPS.qxp_Layout 1 21/02/2017 12:25 Page 1

FEATURE

Going Greek

Jodie Prenger talks about playing Shirley Valentine in a new version of Willy Russell’s iconic play...

Ever fallen so in love with a foreign country that you've been tempted to stay forever? In Willy Russell's much-loved story, Shirley Valentine, a middle-aged housewife swaps her humdrum life in Liverpool for paradise on the sunny shores of Greece after a friend unexpectedly invites her out on holiday. The 1989 film version starring Pauline Collins has firmly established a place in the nation's hearts, but slightly less well known and widely seen is the original stage version that inspired it. Unusually for Russell, the stage show takes the form of a long monologue, where a solo performer recounts Shirley's entire journey in character. Thirty years after the show made its stage debut, I'd Do Anything star Jodie Prenger brings it back to life at Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre this month. “As a character, I'd put Shirley Valentine right up there with icons,” says Prenger. “When Willy Russell created her, I think she became the heart of every woman around the UK, so it's an absolute joy to play a role like this. And also she's so brave - I think it's extraordinary to have the strength to leave everything she knows behind. It sounds like a bit of a cliché, but she really does 'discover herself'. I think it's quite an endearing quality for someone to question what their life has been and what they've done with it, and she really does that.”

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by Heather Kincaid

Like many, Prenger had her first Educating Rita) also remains a hands-on unsatisfying job, will be able to encounter with Shirley through the film member of the team, and director Glen understand Shirley's gnawing frustrations adaptation. Though the character and Walford has the benefit of just as much and desire for an escape. Not wanting to story are much the same in either experience with the show as does the return from a favourite holiday is medium, the way it's told makes a huge writer, having both commissioned and probably also something that most of us difference, especially for the actor leading directed the original stage production. can identify with. the production. “It was originally written as a play. Glen “I think we've also all had jobs where we “I've never seen it on stage before, which I Walford commissioned Willy to write a go in nine-to-five and we'd all much think is a good thing, but of course I've musical, and he turned up with this one- rather be sat on the beach drinking wine seen the film, and I'm always quite woman play which has become really by the sea. I remember when we went to shocked when people say they haven't. embedded in the history of theatre - so no the Maldives - we were on a private island, On stage, the vision and the story and the pressure for me! Willy's been really which was lovely, and it was definitely premise is all taken up by one person, so involved in this production, but then the hard to drag me back then. So I think you have to really be there in the moment. show is his baby. And it's the same with there's a bit of Shirley Valentine in every You can't just sit on a chair and tell the Glen. They're both very proud of it, and single person out there. Or at least I hope story - you have to make sure the I'm very proud to get to hold it - I feel like there is, because she's just glorious, she audience can see all these scenes and the I'm holding it with my mittens on, really is.” parts of Shirley's journey playing out.” protecting it. I think it's so admirable As well as starring in Tell Me On A when the people who’ve created these Luckily, Prenger has plenty of experience Sunday, Spamalot and Calamity Jane at shows stay part of them for so long, and I to draw on here, having previously the New Alex, Prenger also recently think that's what keeps them special and appeared in Tell Me On A Sunday, which appeared as Fairy Bow Bells in keeps the strength in them year after showed at the New Alex in April 2016. But Birmingham Hippodrome's Christmas year.” in this particular case, she says, it's the panto, Dick Whittington. And she's nature of the character and the scale of Decades after the story was written, looking forward to returning to the city. her journey of self-discovery that allows attitudes to marriage, relationships and Coming back to a familiar place with a the show to easily fill the space in larger women generally have changed a great few friendly faces to call on helps break venues, despite its one-woman cast. deal, and Shirley's pre-holiday life spent up the loneliness of touring solo. talking to the walls and cooking egg and “I think it goes back to Shirley Valentine “I always love going to Birmingham - the chips for an unappreciative husband are being this big, iconic role. She's got a shopping's great and it's got a real kind of probably far less typical today than they huge, epic story to tell and goes on a real buzz about it, which is always nice, once were. Nevertheless, thinks Prenger, adventure, and that makes you want to especially when you're going somewhere she's still as easy to identify with as ever. listen to her. She's a great explorer who on your own. I've done quite a lot of gets to live out her dream. She says herself “The thing is, when you watch it, she shows in the city, and it was lovely to hear that she's a mother, she's a wife, she's never actually hates Joe. I think they do the reaction about Shirley Valentine while Shirley Valentine, and the way that she still love each other, and that's why I was doing the panto at the Hippodrome says it makes you feel like Shirley they've stayed together for so long, even if over Christmas. And it'll be nice to meet Valentine could be Super Woman.” they don't always say it. They've just up with some people I know there started drifting apart, haven't they? I because I do sometimes get lonely doing a Of course, although she takes the think we've all experienced relationships one-woman show, so I'm more than limelight up on stage, Prenger isn't going like that - where someone does things that grateful to anyone who pops over for a to be entirely unsupported. There's also get on your bloody nerves and sometimes chat.” plenty of help to be had from the crew they drive you mad, but deep down you and creative team, including designer love 'em and you just get on with it. You Amy Yardley. see echoes of that throughout history - it's Shirley Valentine shows at the New “I don't want to give too much away but just something that goes on and on.” Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon the set really is extraordinary. It's got a And it's not just relationships either; there 6 - Sat 11 March; Belgrade Theatre, kind of nostalgic quality, especially when are plenty of other ways of getting stuck Coventry, Tues 6 - Sat 10 June; Theatre she ventures out to Greece - it's really in a rut. Anyone who's ever found Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 10 - Sat 15 beautiful and picturesque.” themselves in any sort of dead-end July Creator Willy Russell (Blood Brothers, situation, whether in love or simply in an

whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:18 Page 2

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men redux

Fri 3 & Mon 27 & Sat 4 Mar Tue 28 Mar £15 £16

m¡longa The power and beauty of Argentinean tango.

Tue 16 - Tue 7 Mar - Fri 26 & Sat 20 May Sat 29 Apr Sat 27 May From £17 From £25 From £15

Coppélia

Mon 29 May Tue 6 - Tue 13 - - S at 3 Jun Sat 10 Jun Sat 17 Jun From £15 From £17 From £16

Jon Richardson - The Old Man Joel Dommett - Live 2017 Thu 4 May £20.50 Sat 6 May £18.50

Everyone’s Welcome 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:19 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

One Love: The Bob Marley Musical The REP, Birmingham, Fri 10 March - Sat 15 April This new musical about the legendary Bob Marley is here receiving its UK premiere. Focusing on the period of the musician’s life that saw him propelled from rising reggae star to global icon, the show features Marley’s greatest hits, including No Woman No Cry, Exodus and Jamming, all of which are performed live by the cast. “Birmingham is a natural place for the show’s UK premiere,” says Marley’s daughter, Cedella. “With its mix of cultures, it’s a city where my father performed to audiences that were captivated by his presence. “I have no doubt that telling the story through music to a new generation in Birmingham will be part of his continuing legacy.”

The Virgin Marias The Hypocrite Not Dead Enough The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 4 March Fri 31 March - Sat 29 April Mon 27 March - Sat 1 April Birmingham School of Acting graduate EastEnders’ Shane Richie and Strictly Come Nathalie Bazán’s revenge play is inspired by Dancing’s Laura Whitmore (pictured) spear- the true story of sisters Delfina and Maria de head this new stage adaptation of Peter Jesús González, brothel owners who, in mur- James’s ingenious novel. With more than 17 dering the prostitutes they recruited, became million copies of his books sold worldwide, the most infamous sibling serial killers in James’s reputation as a talented crime-fic- history. The production is presented by Lying tion author was further enhanced last year Lips, a theatre company which Nathalie when he received the coveted Diamond established in 2014. Suitable for audience Dagger, crime writing’s highest honour. members aged 14-plus, the show contains This latest stage adaptation of the novelist’s full nudity, smoking of herbal or e-cigarettes, work sees Detective Superintendent Roy stroboscopic lighting effects and violent Grace digging deep into a chilling murder scenes. Quite a night out, then... Award-winning playwright Richard Bean - case - and quickly finding out that not every- he of One Man, Two Guvnors fame - is the thing is quite as it seems to be... impressive talent behind this ‘riotous new Olivier Award winner Ian Talbot directs. Wonderwoman: comedy’, here being co-produced by the The Naked Truth Royal Shakespeare Company and Hull Truck Theatre. Set in the spring of 1842, its central mac, Birmingham, Fri 17 March character is the governor of Hull, Sir John “How do we discuss sex in front of the sand- Hotham, a man charged by Parliament with pit, write a thriller inside a playpen and the task of denying King Charles I entry into arrange a hot date whilst playing Lego?” ask the city. Croatian artists and long-term Birmingham “The reason the play is called The residents Tina Hofman and Kristina Gavran. Hypocrite,” explains Richard, “is that Sir “To work or not to work? That is the ques- John told some people that he was for tion. Our ambition didn’t disappear when we Parliament, and others that he supported the had kids. It is ever-present, and often in con- king. He was tasked by Parliament with flict. Can we soothe our babies and our securing Hull’s arsenal but later turned to ambition?...” the king's side, refusing to supply the Tina and Kristina present Wonderwoman via Parliamentarian Thomas Fairfax with pow- Notnow Collective, a company they co- der and munitions.” founded in order to contemplate the subjects The production stars Game Of Thrones’ Mark of family, parenthood and work-home bal- Addy (pictured) as Sir John and longtime tel- ance in a ‘challenging, highly visual and evision favourite Caroline Quentin as his immersive way’. wife, Lady Sarah Hotham.

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FEATURE

The Road To Huntsville

Stephanie Ridings’ one-woman show explores the subject of finding love on Death Row...

How far would you go to find the man of been incarcerated as it is writing to going to Texas to be with someone!” your dreams? Coming to Warwick Arts someone who's going to be executed, But despite not joining the ranks of the Centre this month, Stephanie Ridings' The which doesn't happen in this country.” women who find love through letter- Road to Huntsville explores the Ridings set about researching - digging writing, Ridings did eventually find the fascinating phenomenon of women around in blogs and internet forums, funding to travel out to Texas and visit the falling in love with the men they write to watching films and reading books to find Huntsville prison after which the show is on death row. You might think a out more. What she discovered surprised named. Opened in 1849, Huntsville is whirlwind romance based purely on her; once these women found their prison both the oldest state prison in Texas and letters to a prisoner sounds a little far- pen pals, it wasn't all that hard to home to America's busiest execution fetched, but according to Ridings, at least, understand how quickly they might fall, chamber. She and her videographer it's more common than you might think... even if they hadn't initially set out looking weren't able to get too close to the facility “There are a lot of websites where you can for love. For all the modern wonders of (you can see them skirting around the find someone to write to,” she says, “and instant communication, these are lonely perimeter in a series of video blogs on her you can be very specific - about sexuality, times for many people. In a world of YouTube channel), but they did get the gender, what they're in prison for, how constant distraction, the appeal of “an chance to speak to former prison warden long they're gonna be in prison - it's all old-fashioned courtship with pen and Jim Willett, who oversaw 89 executions catered for. Some of them actually get paper” is easy to see, particularly when over the course of his career. married, though there's no actual physical you're corresponding with someone “He was a really great guy - really funny contact - it's all done by proxy or through offering you their absolute and undivided and lovely, and you couldn't have asked the bulletproof glass.” attention. for a nicer person. But, I don't know, West Midlands-based writer and The wealth of information available both something about him just made you feel performer Ridings first took interest in the online and elsewhere meant that Ridings like he was damaged by his experience. It subject after coming across a television was able to start work on her show wasn't just doing all those executions and documentary. Instantly hooked, she was without ever making contact with any of having to take that home with him, but as drawn to look deeper into the lives and these long-distance lovers. Of course, the warden, he also lived right outside the experiences of these women, and what it there were ethical considerations to factor walls of the prison, and his house was on was that might lead them to pursue such in as well. the other side of the death house, so he'd unconventional relationships - brought his kids up that close to it.” “It didn't feel right to just crash into particularly the British women writing to somebody's life and then disappear once The pair also made some time to take a men in American prisons. I'd made the show. There are real look around the town more generally, and “The thing that really interested me was concerns about exploiting people for get a feel for the attitudes of local people the fact that they're three or four things like this. And there was nothing towards what happens in their thousand miles away, and that question of that I couldn't find out from what was neighbourhood. Huntsville is a small city whether you can actually be in love with already in the public domain, so I didn't in the east of Texas with a population of someone just through letters. Also, it isn't see what the purpose of that would be. just under 40,000. A quarter of that so much about writing to a man who's Also, I didn't want to end up actually population is made up of people behind

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by Heather Kincaid

bars, and the majority of the other interested and what happens after each the only time she's taken on hard-hitting residents are employed by the Texas incident, and how my other half subject matter. Her last play at The REP, Department of Criminal Justice, leading to responds. In Edinburgh, people really Unknown Male, explored the effects of a Huntsville being labelled as a ‘company wanted to know how much of it was true, train-track suicide on the driver. More town’. but we like to leave audiences to make recently, she's been working on a project their own minds up.” called Dylan's Parents, which deals with “People in that part of Texas are very the aftermath of a horrific crime from the conservative in their beliefs. We were It's not the first time Ridings has created perspective of the perpetrator's family. quite cautious about telling people why and performed a solo show - her previous we were there, so we only referred to the piece, Me, Mum & Dusty Springfield, Originally from Liverpool, Ridings has prison quite generically, but even the toured to rave reviews - but in recent years now lived in the West Midlands for six receptionist at our hotel was like, 'If you she's focused more on writing plays for years, having first moved in when her behave like a dog, you get put down like a other people to perform. This medium partner started work at Warwick Arts dog'. And that was very much the sort of seemed to suit the story better, but wasn't Centre. Since then, she's quickly made a attitude among the people we spoke to. without its perils. Such an intense and name for herself in the local arts and We were having dinner on the last night soul-searching show is bound to make theatre scene, being accepted onto The and there was a man there who thought huge demands on any performer, REP's inaugural Foundry programme, as that the UK was overrun by the Taliban particularly when they're up on stage well as Writing West Midlands' Room 204 and that we were all living in constant alone. scheme. fear. Of course, we were very typically “It just felt like this was a more interesting “Moving here was one of the best things British and polite about telling him that it way to present the story - it wasn't enough I've ever done for my career. After we was nothing like that, but there’s a real just to write a play about a woman who came to the area I felt like things sort of narrow-mindedness there. It was falls in love with a man on death row. In progressed much better, and I've been pretty strange, but it was a really great the early days it was difficult, and I took meeting really great friends and experience.” measures to make sure it wasn't affecting colleagues in the arts. Everyone's very Presented as a confessional-style solo me in my life - I suppose that's just about welcoming and there's a really nice feel. performance, the show blends detail of how you warm up and warm down at the Also there's always something going on Ridings' real experiences with a beginning and end of the show. I think the somewhere, and there's something for fictionalised narrative. Since the dividing rest of the team were quite worried that it everyone, whether it's big commercial line between the two is never made would affect me a lot, because there's a lot theatre or something more tailored, so I explicit, the show has elicited a variety of of my real life in there, and there are some can't champion the West Midlands responses from critics and audiences quite tricky things that I talk about which enough.” based on what they assume to be true and did actually happen. But at the same time, invented. I think there's something quite liberating about it. You just have to be mindful to “I speak directly to the audience, and it's The Road To Huntsville shows at take care of yourself.” almost like I'm sort of reliving it in that Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, on moment, so it goes through how I get Experience probably helps. It's also not Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 March

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 28 March - Sat 1 April X Factor winner Joe McElderry takes the title role in a show that marked Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s arrival in the world of musical theatre. Fun, frothy and offering great entertainment for anybody who fancies the kind of night out that lets you leave your brain at home, it tells the story of a young man (Joseph) who sees the future in dreams. When he tells his 11 brothers that he’s had a dream in which he’s seen them all bowing down to him, his siblings are far from impressed - and they’re even less happy with Joseph when their dad gives him a coat of many colours... Terrific energy from an ensemble cast, spectacular sets and excellent music make for a great night out.

Ghost The Thing That Came Beryl Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, From Over There New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mon 20 - Sat 25 March Fri 3 - Sat 18 March Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 17 March Five times world pursuit champion, 13 times This is a new stage version of the award-win- Visual gags, verbal wit, giant puppetry, slimy national pursuit champion and twice road- ning film starring Patrick Swayzee, Demi fungus and parasitic space worms are all racing world champion, unsung sporting leg- Moore and Whoopi Goldberg. For those not present and correct in a show that features end Beryl Burton was a truly remarkable in the know, it tells the story of a ghost three actors in 15 roles and takes its inspira- woman, bagging cycling title after cycling named Sam who, caught between this world tion from numerous 1950s horror movies. title while at the same time managing to be and the next, desperately attempts to com- As legendary adventurers Scott and both a wife and a mother. municate with his girlfriend Molly and warn Amundsen begin their 1912 race across Maxine Peake’s critically acclaimed play cel- her that she’s in mortal danger from his mur- Antarctica, hapless explorer Captain ebrates the achievements of this record- derer. Reginald Cranston accidentally lands on the breaking performer, a woman who, during A timeless tale about the power of love that wrong side of the continent. To add to his her all-too-short lifetime, was awarded both beautifully blends the genres of romance and troubles, he soon finds himself investigating an OBE and an MBE. comedy, Ghost features The Righteous the crash-site of a meteor - unaware of the Brothers’ Unchained Melody and numerous danger that awaits not just himself and his songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave team but the whole of the planet... Stewart. This 75-minute show is presented by the criti- Happy Hour The show stars Carolyn Maitland as Molly, cally acclaimed Gonzo Moose, a company The Old Rep, Birmingham, Wed 1 March Jacqui Dubois as Oda Mai Brown, Sam which specialises in producing ‘rip-roaring Ferriday as Carl and Andy Moss as Sam. comedy adventures’. Tmesis Theatre’s impressively choreographed stagework explores the modern-day obsession with being happy, contemplating Invincible the question of whether people’s emotions Lichfield Garrick, Tues 21 - Sat 25 March can be bought and sold like commodities. On Level Three of the Happiness This Alan Ayckbourn-style comedy from the Corporation, the workers must achieve their highly rated Torben Betts presents a sharp- quota of smiley faces before lunchtime. edged take on one of British theatre’s most Failure to do so will see floor supervisor well-trodden yet rewarding driving forces - Adam taking a one-way trip to Level 20... the country’s long-established class system. A commission from Liverpool’s Unity With the recession biting hard, Emily and Theatre, Tmesis’s Oliver decide to downsize, relocating them- new production selves and their bourgeois London lifestyle to combines the a small town in the north of England. company’s trade- When the newly arrived couple invite their mark physicality working-class neighbours Dawn and Alan with comedy, round for a drink, an evening of extreme music and text. social awkwardness ensues...

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theatre for younger audiences...

Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live! The First Hippo On The Moon White

Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live! a seriously, er, raptor-ous response from its Petits theatre company, whose previous young audience. After all, they’ve branded stage successes have included Captain Flinn Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 20 - Tues Jurassic Adventures ‘the most exciting family And The Pirate Dinosaurs and Adventures In 21 March; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 22 March; New Alexandra Theatre, show since time began’, so the weight of Wonderland. Expect a ‘fantastical’ adventure Birmingham, Wed 19 April expectation is already as heavy as a tyran- featuring puppetry, music, mayhem and a This first ever live touring show reflects the nosaur. giant space race to the moon... growing popularity of CBeebies’ hit televi- Set on a magical island where anything sion series. might happen, the show features a ‘fun Ben Faulks takes the role of the title charac- script’, impressively sized dinosaurs aplenty Gangsta Granny ter, a friendly gardener who invites young and the occasional moment of mild peril. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, children to visit his allotment, feed his trusty Wed 22 - Sun 26 March machine - the Compostarium - and get to The ever-popular Birmingham Stage know the Veggies, his puppet vegetables. Chicken Licken Company make a welcome return with their There are plenty of songs to enjoy too, Lichfield Garrick, Sat 11 March critically acclaimed adaptation of David including This Is My Allotment, Meet The Dynamic New Animation (DNA) have been Walliams’ best-selling book. Veggies and The Compo Song, as well as the touring this show for more than a decade - Ben’s no lover of Friday nights - and why chance to help Mr Bloom prepare his allot- evidence, were any needed, of its enduring would he be? After all, Friday night means ment for a royal visit. popularity with generations of children. having to stay at Granny’s house, where he’s The one-person production uses shadow and not only bored senseless but also has to eat rod puppetry to present a trilogy of classic an unholy trinity of cabbage dishes - cab- WOW! Said The Owl tales from Ladybird books - Chicken Licken, bage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake. mac, Birmingham, Sat 11 - Sun 12 March The Little Red Hen and The Fox And The But experiences can sometimes be deceptive, The long-in-the-tooth Little Angel Theatre Hen. Starting out as a baking demonstration, and Ben soon finds out that there’s way company is the ensemble behind this stage the show rapidly evolves into the story of a more to his boring old Granny than ever he’d adaptation of the acclaimed children’s book growing chick and her encounters with a imagined... by award-winning author Tim Hopgood. hungry fox. Little Angel have been delighting and excit- “We present visually stimulating, accessible ing children’s imaginations since 1961, so are and entertaining performances,” explain White extremely well-versed in the business of cap- DNA. “We want to encourage audiences of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, tivating young audiences with inspiring sto- all ages to live happier, healthier and more Sat 11 - Mon 13 March ries and innovative theatre. They place pup- productive lives, to do so with a strong sense Scottish theatre company Catherine Wheels petry at the heart of pretty much everything of wellbeing and empowerment, and to have garnered an impressive reputation for they do, and Wow! Said The Owl is certainly actively participate in all aspects of society.” the innovative quality of their children’s no exception to that rarely broken rule. shows - and this seven-year-old offering For anybody not in the know, Hopgood’s makes it easy to see why. story focuses on the efforts of a little owl to The First Hippo Cotton and Wrinkle are two friends whose stay awake and see what daylight brings. On The Moon relationship tugs its forelock in the direction But will the warm pink glow of dawn and the of Estragon and Vladimir, the famous tramps myriad colours of a stunning rainbow be Malvern Theatre, Mon 6 - Tues 7 March; from Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot. able to match the beauty of the nighttime Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 25 - Sun 26 March; mac, Birmingham, And also in keeping with Godot, the play has stars?... Tues 18 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, an absurdist quality that makes it both The show is suitable for children aged two to Thurs 1 - Sun 4 June absorbing and memorable. five. David Walliams is fast developing a Roald The friends live in an orderly world full of Dahl-style reputation for the quality of his birdsong and birdhouses, where everything children’s stories. Indeed, the Britain’s Got is white. But when the colour red makes an Jurassic Adventures Talent judge has had his books translated unexpected appearance, Cotton and Wrinkle The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, into 40-plus languages, selling more than are faced with the very real prospect of need- Sun 19 March four million copies in the UK alone. This new ing to embrace change... It’s fair to say that World On Stage, the com- adaptation of his explosively funny space A quirky introduction to the magic of colour pany behind this lively production for chil- adventure for children aged three and older and the concept of transformation, White is dren aged three and older, will be hoping for is being presented by the award-winning Les suitable for children aged two to four.

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FEATURE

GETTING INTO THE SWING OF THINGS The Midlands' most distinctive music festival returns to Digbeth next month, bringing a contemporary twist to the sounds of the 1920s...

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by Heather Kincaid

Once a year for one day only, a spectacular celebration of vintage culture descends onto the streets of Digbeth in a riot of sound and colour. Set against the fading Victorian grandeur of Birmingham's industrial heartland, Swingamajig may well be the Midlands' most distinctive music festival, where the fin de siècle collides head-on with the fabulous ’50s and futuristic electronic sounds. Amid old factories, warehouses and railway arches, you'll find swing bands and strobe lights, burlesque and drum’n’bass, frock coats and funky beats, gypsy jazz and jungle DJs, spread out across seven different stages all decked out in deliciously decadent style. From the outside, this curious fusion of musical sounds and styles might seem mysterious - it's not immediately obvious continues. “Maybe on first glance you the latest changes including the how all these different ingredients ended might think you have to be part of a relocation and rather intriguing up in a pot together. So how can 'scene' to come, but you don't at all - you transformation of the ‘rough and ready’ Swingamajig best be described? With just have to enjoy doing something a little Arch Stage into the Cave Of Curiosities (at seven wildly contrasting stages and more bit different. I think of all the events we the moment, details of this than seventy acts from across the play, Swingamajig has got the friendliest transformation are still ‘top secret’). spectrum of music and performance, it's crowd, and I'm not just saying that There's also the brand new Swingamajig not easy - even for founders, curators and because it's our event! Everyone's so Bazaar, an eclectic 'market meets funfair' Birmingham-based music sensation lovely that if you lose your friends you'll which is accessible separately from the Electric Swing Circus. have five more within seconds. My parents festival site, meaning you won't need to come and have a great time and they're buy a ticket to pop down and do some “It's something we've been talking about well into their 60s, but you'll also get 18- shopping before the show begins mid- quite a lot as a team,” says ESC's effusive year-olds coming straight out of college. afternoon. guitarist Tom Hyland. “There isn't really a It’s inclusive - as long as you come to have “The Swingamajig Bazaar is a combined single word that can link a 16-piece swing a good time, you’re in safe hands.” band to a jungle DJ, yet the people that go craft vintage market, and that will open in to Swingamajig definitely get the Launched in 2013, the festival was the morning. We've also got Digbeth connection. The festival is a mixture of originally born out of ESC's speakeasy- Dining Club doing the food. I'm a bit of a vintage and remix, but it's also cabaret - I inspired Hot Club de Swing nights at The foodie myself, so we do take food very think that's the important thing. It's the Hare & Hounds in King's Heath. As those seriously - it's all locally sourced, ethically big colours and the performance and the regular events increasingly sold out, produced, pretty top-notch quality. In the extravagance that are really important to Hyland and his bandmates soon realised afternoon, we've got Circus MASH coming us.” there was scope to scale the idea up down to do some aerial games, there'll be considerably. balloon modelling for the kids, and we This unique showbiz aesthetic and may even be organising a Scalextric race. I “It started as an electro-swing street party, attitude of hedonistic decadence define think often when I've had the most fun at but it's much broader than that now. It's a Swingamajig, and thanks in part to the events, it's been thanks to the stuff in chance for people to dress up, go wild and physical accessibility of its central between the main performances, so we do all sorts of things, whether it's music or location, the variety, eclecticism and like to have treasure hunts and lots of dance classes or cabaret.” eccentricity of the event is mirrored in the little silly things and extras to help to composition of its audience. Four years after making its debut, animate the space.” “It's a very broad demographic,” he Swingamajig continues to expand, with

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testament to the commitment of Hyland and his team. Swingamajig isn’t the only thing Hyland has kept busy with - Electric Swing Circus are known for their hectic live schedule ‘‘It's amazing, it really is - I get to and are just coming off the heels of their sophomore release, It Flew By. run a festival, and when you see “We've spent two years writing and recording it, so it's been a bit of a labour three or four thousand people of love. We're predominantly a live band, but when you take the same songs you've all having fun and exploring, been performing and record them in a studio, they can often sound a bit lifeless. that's brilliant! That's the problem we've been up against, so we've been experimenting with lots of different techniques to try to work out how to translate that energy we have on stage onto a recording. I think we recorded our single Empires about four There’s also the addition of an afterparty UK Number One. And then there's loads of times in the end, but we're really happy in the nearby Spotlight Venues to keep very strong cabaret this year - we've” got with the results now. I think it's been a big things moving until the early hours. Joe Black, Betsy Rose, Vicky Butterfly, step forward for us, and it's been very well Missy Malone. These are all top-level, received so far.” “Swingamajig has stayed open until 6am international performers.” in the past, but this year we’ve decided to In addition to managing the festival, change things up a bit and instead host an Other music acts confirmed so far include writing their own material and touring as afterparty from 2am down the road at electronic DJ duo The Freestylers, ‘cheeky a band, the group also somehow find time Spotlight. If you’re the type who likes to gypsy party’ group Mr Tea And The to produce music on their own Ragtime party till the sun comes up, that’s Minions, jazz-bass fusion act C@ in the record label. definitely gonna be the place to be! H@, rockabilly band Sharna Mae And The Birmingham’s own City Of Colours will be Mayhems, the Jim Wynn Swing Orchestra, “It’s really difficult, but we keep working curating one of the stages, we’ll be and of course Electric Swing Circus very hard. I don't take time off - I'm in the curating another and we might even have themselves. office during the week and then out on a third.” the road at the weekend, and there are “It helps being in a live touring band rehearsals as well. But if you're doing The music is just another reason to want when programming the festival because what you love, you don't mind. And it's to experience the event in all its off-the- as a starting point we often pick the acts amazing, it really is - I get to run a festival, wall, colourfully chaotic glory. This year's that we've seen out and about on the and when you see three or four thousand headline acts include genre-blending road. There's a strong community of people all having fun and exploring, dance duo and returning Swingamajig musicians, DJs and performers, and it’s that's brilliant!” favourites The Correspondents, as well as great to be able to get together every year festival newcomers Sam And The Womp, for Swingamajig Festival. We also get sent whose single Bom Bom topped the UK tons of demos and videos throughout the charts in 2012. year; we listen to them all - we’re always Swingamajig takes place in Digbeth on the lookout for fresh new talent.” “We've only just announced the first part Triangle, Birmingham, on Sunday 30 of the line-up. The Correspondents are Tempted yet? If you’re planning on April from 2pm one of my favourite acts - they put on a heading over to enjoy some music and great stage show with fantastic energy. It's soak up the atmosphere, you’re advised to also a really big thing for us to have an act book ahead. The festival often sells out, like Sam And The Womp, who’ve had a with its continued success being a

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Dance Dance previews from around the region

Rosie Kay Dance Company: MK Ultra The REP, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sat 18 March A world premiere, this DanceXchange-presented work is the latest offering from Rosie Kay’s highly regarded local ensemble. The piece has been inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, mind-control con- spiracies and Illuminati imagery’. Commenting on the show, artistic director Rosie said: “MK Ultra is the result of three years of intense research which has taken me through the world of surveillance, state police, torture and brainwashing, through to pop culture, mainstream media and celebrity breakdowns, all the way back to politics and a comment on the post-cultur- ism state we are now in. “At a time when everything is fake, or at least we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra looks at what this world really feels like, and what effect it’s having on us, whether we know it or not.”

Sonia Sabri Company: Vienna Festival Ballet: Material Men: Redux Virago Cinderella Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 27 - Tues 28 March mac, Birmingham, Sat 11 March; Arena Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 7 March; Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 29 March The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Wed Innovative choreographer Shobana 8 March; Bedworth Civic Hall, Thurs 30 Jeyasingh here combines powerful dance “We’ve always tried to create something March; Evesham Arts Centre, Mon 17 April; which is groundbreaking and pioneering,” Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 23 April and potent imagery to explore the shared says Sonia Sabri. “I feel proud to say that history and personal stories of virtuoso we’ve presented something that’s very new dancers Sooraj Subramaniam and Shailesh and very different. We’ve been at the fore- Bahoran. front of creating new ideas, and that’s exact- “Material Men has two stories which con- ly what we intend to continue doing.” nect,” explains Shobana to Sabri’s belief in the need to push the bound- londondance.com. “One is the story of aries of dance is reflected in this dance-digi- indentured labour, whereby well over a mil- tal solo production, an exploration of the lion Indians were transported to replace the perceptions and misconceptions surround- emancipated slaves and generally supply ing the subject of female body image. cheap labour for the colonial planters of tea, The dancer’s unique ‘urban kathak’ lan- rubber and sugar. The other is the story of guage is here brought together with motion- With its comical Ugly Sisters, matchmaking two young men whose history lies in colo- triggered digital art and a sound score com- fairy godmother, drop-dead gorgeous Prince nial migration but who journey towards each bining spoken word and music, creating a Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot- other despite differing techniques of hip-hop show which Sabri describes as “uncompro- only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably and Bharatha Natyam.” mising, thought-provoking and humorous”. lay claim to being the most popular of all The work features a commissioned score by fairytales. Its rich subject matter certainly acclaimed proved to be fertile ground for the brilliance Australian com- of Gioachino Rossini, whose early 19th cen- poser Elena Kats- tury take on the story is widely considered to Chernin, per- be one of his greatest operatic achievements. formed live on This particular celebration of the piece is stage by the long- brought to the stage by Vienna Festival established Smith Ballet, for whom the music has been special- Quartet. It also ly arranged. includes an evoca- Featuring a talented array of young dancers, tive film featuring the company typically spends eight months historic texts and of the year performing works from its exten- archive photo- sive repertoire in venues across the UK. graphic material. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Dance Sampled DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:16 Page 1

FEATURE

DANCE: SAMPLED Birmingham Hippodrome Chief Executive Fiona Allan talks about introducing dance to new audiences

Think dance isn't for you? Think again. If stomps, pirouettes, shimmies, shuffles has received some Arts Council money to you've shaken off your curiosity and shied and waltzes into Birmingham this month. help get things off the ground, away from physical performance in the commissioning, experimenting with new “The idea is for people to have a really past, Birmingham Hippodrome's Dance: ideas and paying for artists to tour. What's great-value first-time encounter with Sampled programme offers you the on offer at the Hippodrome, however, dance,” she explains. “It's only £15 for chance to discover everything you ever won't be identical to versions of the show adults and even less for children, so it's wanted to know about live dance shows elsewhere. Teaming up with other venues probably the best-value show you can see but were too afraid to find out first hand. and sharing international acts helps to at the Hippodrome all year. If you don't limit the cost of bringing them into the Originally developed by Sadler's Wells as think you like dance, or if you've not come country, but other aspects of the a kind of appetiser for the season ahead, across much dance before, you get the programme will be specially tailored to the project has now been rolled out to chance to see a whole range of different Birmingham audiences. partner-venues Birmingham Hippodrome styles all at once.” and the Lowry in Salford as a way of “It has some common elements with It's no accident that the trio of theatres developing new audiences for dance what's going on at Sadler's Wells and at who have partnered up are probably the across the country. Hippodrome Chief the Lowry, like the tango artists and also leading exponents of live dance in the UK. Executive and self-professed dance Iron Skulls, who are a sort of crazy Unusually for a largely commercial evangelist Fiona Allan told us more about Catalan hip-hop crew from Barcelona. I've theatre like the Hippodrome, the project what to expect when the show tangos, seen a bit of their show already, and they

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by Heather Kincaid

are completely anarchic - they have such worry - you're not alone. Even ardent was a person I'd never heard of, but the an amazing energy that I think they're enthusiasts like Allan had to start place was just filled with teenagers when going to be a fantastic finale to the somewhere. But as Dance: Sampled aims he arrived. We also did our first hip-hop programme. But then the British acts are to demonstrate, taking the initial plunge festival with Break Mission last year. I more specific to the venue. So obviously can change your perception of the think we had about 5,000 people coming here we've got Birmingham Royal Ballet, medium forever. in for that, and that audience looked and then the other big name that we have completely different to a typical panto “I grew up loving theatre because I liked exclusively in Birmingham is the Aakash audience. Or even just recently, we had having a story, and I felt safer with that. Odedra Company. Aakash is a really some children's craft activities in the That's probably why the most popular brilliant kathak choreographer who was Patrick Centre for Chinese New Year, and dance shows are the big ballets like Swan born in Birmingham and is best known as the people who came through on that day Lake and Cinderella, which have a a solo artist, but we've actually really looked like the people of fairytale story that everyone can follow commissioned him to do some work for Birmingham, and particularly of this quite easily. I think people get a bit put off other dancers because we want to see how neighbourhood.” by dance where there’s no narrative we can help him develop as a because they're worried that they won't This isn't the first time the Hippodrome choreographer. So he's going to be understand it. But quite often, it doesn't has hosted a Dance: Sampled show. Last creating a new piece with some dancers need to mean anything or to be any more year, the event made its Birmingham from Istanbul, and I'm really interested to than a celebration of the human body and debut as part of IDFB 2016. The show was see how that turns out.” music and the wonderful things that these well-received, if a little overshadowed by In addition to this, an extra pre- athletes can do. There are other art forms the huge number of events taking place performance showcase will see a huge like circus where you don't need it to have throughout the festival. As such, this year, array of local groups and dancers fill the a beginning, a middle and an end, so I there are high hopes it will prove bigger, foyers with short excerpts and interactive think it's just a case of getting people to better and more popular than before. sessions. Better still, this part of the event relax into it a bit and to have the courage “The response from the audience that is completely free and open to anyone, and the confidence to just enjoy it for came was incredible! We had people with or without a ticket for the main what it is.” saying that they'd never realised dance event. Changing attitudes towards dance is just was so cool - and for me, that's all you “It's going to be like a sort of dance part of Allan's wider goals to improve need really. But because we had five or six festival that takes over the building, with diversity and develop new audiences, an other dance performances taking place lots going on all at once, and we're hoping ambition that she’s made a focus since here for the festival, I think perhaps it was that it will work on two levels: it's great taking up her position at the theatre in difficult for us to give it our singular added value for the people who've already October 2015. And while demonstrable attention and to attract as big an audience bought a ticket, but it's also a chance for successes so far are something the as we'd have liked. This year, we've been anyone who isn't seeing the show to come Hippodrome should be proud of, as far as able to put a lot more of our energy and in, explore and try things out. Up in the she's concerned, there's still some way to resources into it.” restaurant on Level Three we'll be having go. It's not just audiences who've been hip-hop battles, on Level One there'll be a “I think we're only really at the start of the enthusiastic either - the response from stick dance demonstration, and the foyer journey, and we've got so much more to dancers looking to participate has been on Level Two is going to be set up with do in that regard. One of the big fantastic. Allan hopes that in the future Xbox dance games. challenges is that our theatre programme there'll be more opportunities for local “It's also a chance for us to work with is booked years in advance, so when I companies to join the main-stage local companies and young people that arrived here the bulk of the shows had programme. But above all else, Dance: we’re partners with or that we want to already been programmed up to 2019, Sampled is a chance to highlight the huge work with, and to showcase them to a which means it's very hard to find the diversity of styles and shows available at broader audience. So for example, we've room in our main programme to be the theatre throughout the year. And with worked with Break Mission, a local street- putting on things that might have a such a wide array of acts appearing (not dance outfit, on the B-Side Festival, and broader or different audience appeal. But to mention things to join in with yourself), they'll be doing a hip-hop show on the we are trying to find every slot that we can you're virtually guaranteed to find stalls level. We've also got Aced Up, which to experiment a bit. something here to suit your tastes. is a national portfolio company, doing an “Last year, we had Dan TDM, who is a excerpt, and Adam Rutherford will be YouTuber who specialises in Minecraft. bringing his youth dance company.” He came in one day and did some Dance: Sampled takes place at If you've found the idea of watching a demonstrations, and it sold out almost Birmingham Hippodrome on Friday 3 dance show daunting in the past, don't instantly. I'm not his demographic so this and Saturday 4 March

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Win! To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets to RAF Cosford Air Show Tickets to Blood Brothers Tickets to Olly Murs

Closes Monday 5 June Closes Wednesday 1 March Closes Friday 17 March

Tickets to Snow In Midsummer Tickets to Miniatura Tickets to ICHF events

Closes Tuesday 7 March Closes Thursday 9 March Closes Friday 10 March

Tickets to Superheroes at the Tickets to The Ugly Duckling & Tickets to The Diary of a Symphony Other Stories Hounslow Girl

Closes Monday 6 March Closes Wednesday 22 March Closes Friday 17 March

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Closes Monday 6 March Closes Monday 27 March Closes Friday 24 March To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter & Facebook for more great competitions

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Film

Beauty And The Beast CERT PG tbc Starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw Directed by Bill Condon (USA) In the tradition of Maleficent and Cinderella, Disney have turned another of their cartoon classics into a live-action showpiece. This one will feature songs from the 1991 film (including Be Our Guest and the title number), as well as new material penned by Tim Rice and the original composer Alan Menken. The story, in case you’ve forgotten, is of a beautiful young woman (Watson) who is taken prisoner by a Beast (Stevens) who can only shed his grotesque appearance when he is loved for who he is. Not to be confused with the French film of the same name (starring Léa Seydoux) that was released in the UK last November. In 3D. Released Fri 17 March CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in March...

Logan CERT 15 - tbc Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant Directed by James Mangold (USA) This could be interesting: a film set on the Mexican border in the near future. Hugh Jackman is back as Wolverine and is nursing an ailing Professor X (Patrick Stewart) when a young mutant turns up with dark forces in pursuit. Released Fri 3 March

Trespass Against Us CERT 15 (100 mins) Starring Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Lyndsey Marshal, Killian Scott, Rory Fist Fight CERT 15 (91 mins) Kinnear, Sean Harris Directed by Adam Smith (UK/USA) Starring Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Christina Hendricks, Dennis Michael Fassbender is Chad Cutler, an Irish Haysbert Directed by Richie Keen (USA) ne'er-do-well trapped in a cycle of crime that Boys will be boys - or in this case, school is a way of life for his extended family. Then, teachers. When one teacher gets a colleague against his father’s wishes, Chad looks for a fired, the latter challenges him to an after- way out… Adam Smith previously directed school fisticuffs. A loose remake of the little- the concert film Don’t Think (2012) featuring known teen comedy Three O'Clock High The Chemical Brothers, the electronica duo (1987). who supply the music here. Released Fri 3 March Released Fri 3 March whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film - March 2017.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:20 Page 3

Film

Viceroy’s House CERT 12a (106 mins) Starring Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi, Michael Gambon, Om Puri Directed by Gurinder Chadha (UK/India) With Hugh Bonneville top-billed as Lord Mountbatten, this is a sort of Upstairs, Downstairs set during the Partition of India. Beneath him, in the Viceroy’s House, a multitude of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh servants toil away as the storm clouds gather. Released Fri 3 March

CRITIC’S CHOICE

or are in awe. All this changes when Elle CERT 18 (131 mins) Michèle is raped in her own home by an Starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, unknown assailant in a ski mask. She Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira Directed by Paul Verhoeven refuses to report the incident to the (France/Germany/Belgium) police and sets about planning her own For her role as the head of a successful unique brand of retribution. video game company, Isabelle Huppert Winner of the Golden Globe for best for- was nominated for her first Oscar, after a eign language film, Elle is directed by total of 120 films. She is Michèle Leblanc, Paul Verhoeven, best known for the con- who feels detached from her son and is troversial Basic Instinct and Showgirls. resentful of her mother, while in the Released Fri 10 March workplace her colleagues either fear her

Kong: Skull Island CERT 12a tbc The Time Of Their Lives Starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, CERT tbc John Goodman, Brie Larson, Jing Tian, Toby Starring Joan Collins, Pauline Collins, Franco Kebbell Nero, Ronald Pickup, Siân Reeves, Joely Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (USA) Richardson Directed by Roger Goldby (UK) A sequel to Peter Jackson’s reboot of the King Another comedy aimed at the grey pound Kong story, Skull Island follows a 1970s’ with a cast sprung fighting from their moth- expedition into the uncharted terrain of a balls. Joan Collins plays a former movie star Pacific island. There resides our favourite who decides to break out of her London giant gorilla as well as creatures never seen retirement home in order to attend the funer- on the big screen before… In 3D. al of her ex-husband on the French island of Released Fri 10 March Île de Ré. Incidentally, Ms Collins is now 83. Released Fri 10 March

Rules Don’t Apply CERT 12a (127 mins) Starring Warren Beatty, Lily Collins, Alden Ehrenreich, Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick, Candice Bergen Directed by Warren Beatty (USA) Howard Hughes (Beatty) applies strict rules to his staff: nobody in his employ is allowed to dally with an actress. But then Hughes’ driver Frank (Ehrenreich) meets the gorgeous Baptist virgin Marla Mabrey (Collins) who is on the brink of appearing in the movies… Released Fri 10 March

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Film releases in March

The Salesman Power Rangers Ghost In The Shell CERT tbc CERT 12a (124 mins) CERT tbc Starring Scarlett Starring Shahab Starring Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Johansson, Michael Pitt, Hosseini, Taraneh Scott, RJ Cyler, Becky G, Bryan Pilou Asbæk, Chin Han, Alidoosti Directed by Cranston, Elizabeth Banks Juliette Binoche, Takeshi Asghar Farhadi Directed by Dean Israelite (USA) Kitano (Iran/France) Directed by Rupert A reboot of the Power Rangers fran- Sanders (USA) Nominated for an chise (which began as a TV series), the Oscar for best foreign Like Cinderella and film follows a group of high school stu- language film, The Salesman is the story of a Beauty And The Beast, dents that, imbued with superhuman couple whose lives take a downturn when Ghost In The Shell is a live-action adaptation powers, sets off to save the world. It all they move into a new apartment. An unex- of a cartoon, itself based on the manga sounds terribly original. pected visitor to the flat turns out to be look- comic. Here, Scarlett Johansson plays a ing for a prostitute… From the director of the Released Fri 24 March counter-cyberterrorist known as The Major, highly acclaimed About Elly, A Separation who happens to be a cyborg. It’s her job to and The Past. pinpoint and bring down a diabolical com- puter hacker. Great cast. Released Fri 17 March Released Fri 31 March Get Out CERT 12a tbc Smurfs: The Lost Village Starring Daniel Kaluuya, CERT PG Allison Williams, With the voices of Demi Catherine Keener, Lovato, Mandy Patinkin, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Jack McBrayer, Julia Landry Jones Roberts Directed by Jordan Peele Life CERT tbc Directed by Kelly Asbury (USA) (USA) Starring Jake Time to get out, indeed. Gyllenhaal, The Smurfs are back, When a black man visits his white girl- Rebecca Ferguson, you’ll be glad to hear. friend’s family estate in Alabama, he discov- Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada This time Smurfette and ers that a number of black residents there Directed by Daniel her friends embark on a journey through the have gone missing. Strangely, this violent Espinosa (USA/UK) Forbidden Forest to find the biggest secret in horror film marks the directorial debut of the Not to be confused with the Robert Smurf history. Wow. From the director of comedian Jordan Peele. Pattinson film of 2015 or the Eddie Shrek 2 and Gnomeo & Juliet. Expect some Released Fri 17 March Murphy comedy of 1999 of the same saucy humour. In 3D. name, this is a thriller that looks at the Released Fri 31 March discovery of life on Mars. A crew CHiPs CERT 15 (101 mins) aboard the International Space Station Starring Dax Shepard, Michael Peña, Vincent encounter an alien organism from a Free Fire CERT 15 (91 mins) D'Onofrio, Adam Brody, Kristen Bell space probe and are alarmed by its Starring Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Jack Directed by Dax Shepard (USA) capacity to grow… Reynor, Armie Hammer, Sharlto Copley, Sam Here’s a novel idea: a movie based on a TV Riley Directed by Ben Wheatley (UK) Released Fri 24 March series. ‘ChiPs’ are California Highway patrol It’s 1978 in Boston and two rival gangs arrive officers and Jon Baker (Shepard) and Ponch in a warehouse for an arms transaction and Poncherello (Peña) find their paths muddied The Lost City Of Z all hell breaks loose. The name to note here when they come across a brutal ex-cop who’s is that of the film’s writer-director Ben CERT 15 (141 mins) moved into large-scale car theft. The original Wheatley, who’s going from strength to series starred Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada Starring Charlie strength with such titles as Kill List, Hunnam, Robert and ran from 1977 to 1983. Pattinson, Sienna Sightseers and High Rise. Expect some pretty Released Fri 24 March Miller, Tom Holland, strong violence. Angus Macfadyen Directed by James Released Fri 31 March Gray (USA) Based on the eponymous book by James Grann, this historical drama follows the quest of Colonel Percy Fawcett (Hunnam) to find a lost civili- sation in the Amazon. Set during 1925, the film was shot in Santa Marta, Colombia, and received very favourable reviews from the critics. Released Fri 24 March

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Visual Arts

Jean Painlevé Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 15 March - Sun 4 June Twentieth century French filmmaker, scien- tist and inventor Jean Painlevé was a man with a fiercely burning desire to be creative. Having studied biology at the Sorbonne, he embarked on a career producing a body of film work that would become known as ‘scientific-poetic cinema’. His movies, focusing on subjects as diverse as astronomy and pigeons, not only explored science in a serious way but also boasted a surrealist-inspired quality that rendered them unclassifiable. Painlevé was best known for his marine-life movies, endowing ocean-based creatures such as sea horses and skeleton shrimps with a selection of human traits. This first ever solo exhibition of the filmmaker’s work, presenting a number of seminal movies alongside a selection of photographs and jewellery, effectively exemplifies Painlevé’s lifelong desire to make science accessible.

David Cox And His Brennand-Wood, whose 40-year career is cel- their form. In so doing, she prompts the ebrated in this new exhibition. viewer to respond in a new and perhaps sur- Contemporaries Michael’s recent work boasts what he prising way to everyday items with which Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, describes as “an almost hallucinogenic qual- they’re already familiar. until Sat 3 June ity”, drawing the viewer into a different The contribution world. The pieces perfectly evidence the of Birmingham- artist’s interest in abstraction. “I like to see Magnum Photos: born landscape what can be done optically with rhythm and artist David Cox to colour,” explains Michael. “But it’s impor- Evolution Explored the great age of tant that the abstraction isn’t just about play- The Square & St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, British water- ing with pattern. It has to have a meaning.” until Sun 23 April colour painting is explored in this brand new Alongside a number of retrospective pieces, Shrewsbury’s most famous son, the 19th cen- show. the exhibition also features nine new, spe- tury naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin, Bringing together the painter’s work with cially commissioned works, via which is the inspiration behind this special exhibi- pieces by better-known contemporaries Michael explores the ‘seeds’ of his own cre- tion, which has been curated by world- Turner and Constable, the exhibition draws ativity. famous photography agency Magnum heavily on the museum’s extensive collection A short film featuring the artist in his studio Photos. of Cox paintings. documents his making of some of the new “The exhibition looks at Magnum's archive New work by recent graduates is presented pieces. through the prism of evolution,” says the alongside the exhibition as part of New Art agency’s Emily Graham. “As Magnum moves West Midlands 2017 (see opposite page). into its 70th year, the exhibition will display The pieces are accompanied by a selection of Tumbleweed powerful historic and contemporary photo- works from the Worcester City collection graphs exploring Darwin's legacy in modern which have been acquired through the The Barber Institute, Birmingham, until Sun 4 June society.” Contemporary Art Society. New Art West Midlands 2016 entrant Hannah Honeywill here presents a work in response to the Barber’s collection. Michael Brennand-Wood: Her new sculpture takes as its starting point Seeds Of Memory the intricately ornamented and gilded his- Wolverhampton Art Gallery, toric picture frames that surround many of Sat 11 March - Sun 7 May the venue’s paintings. Eye-catching, wall-hung, part-sculpture, A rising star on the UK art scene whose work part-textile pieces are the speciality of inter- has been heavily influenced by ideas and nationally renowned textile artist Michael concepts within queer theory, Honeywill takes objects that already exist and alters 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts March (2).qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:21 Page 2

New Art West Midlands 2017 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac, Birmingham, Worcester City Art Gallery & Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sun 14 May Thirty-one artists from six regional art schools are currently exhibit- ing new work at four leading galleries as part of New Art West Midlands 2017. A launch vehicle for emerging artists, New Art West Midlands is using Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac Birmingham, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Coventry’s Herbert Gallery & Museum to display the new work, which includes painting, installa- tion, sculpture, photography, video, animation and digital artworks. Highlights of the show include Yazmin Boyle’s three-metre-long metal sculptures. The sculptures are made of industrial steel strap overlaid with a feminine lace print and formed into three-dimen- sional funnels and circles. Amy Inston’s film, meanwhile, brings together images of Hollywood glamour and the American Dream with footage of the real domestic life of her working-class Birmingham family. Many of the works on show take themes connected to science and biology, while numerous other pieces focus on the subjects of glob- alisation, migration and belonging. The exhibition is the first initiative of the rebranded New Art West Midlands network, formerly known as Turning Point West Midlands.

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Events

International Craft & Hobby Fair shows catwalk show, meet a multitude of fabrics, threads and textile groups, societies and artists - all on hand to share their expertise - NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 March (except for Cake and brush up on their techniques via numerous free workshops and International, Fri 17 - Sun 19 March) demonstrations. Cake International is this year once again linking up with three other Sewing For Pleasure is another show promising visitors the opportu- well-established NEC shows. nity to refine their craft by attending hands-on workshops. The popu- The popular sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show joins forces lar event is this year being marketed as ‘the ultimate stitchers’ para- with Fashion & Embroidery, Sewing For Pleasure and Hobbycrafts. dise’ and also includes a collection of costumes from Tom Hooper’s Highlights of the 2017 Cake International event include a display of four-time Oscar-winning film, The King’s Speech. entries from the world’s biggest cake competition, industry experts And be sure to visit the Hobbycrafts element of the show too. The revealing the newest ‘cake art’ trends, and a selection of stalls selling event features the Birmingham heat of the Nation’s Fastest Knitter must-have baking and sugarcraft essentials. competition, a dedicated miniatures and dollhouse area, and a Fashion & Embroidery enthusiasts, meanwhile, can enjoy a special chance for children to have a go at making some sand art.

MCM Comic Con Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, Sat 18 - Sun 19 March Cult-television fans attending this month’s MCM (Movies, Comics & Media) Comic Con event can get their collars felt by 1970s TV tecs Starsky & Hutch, otherwise known as actors Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul. The crimefighting duo are joined by Antonio Fargas, who played streetwise informant Huggy Bear in the iconic cop series, and will be signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. Soul, Michael Glaser and Fargas will be in attendance on both days of the show. In addition to this holy trinity of guests and numerous other well-known names, the show’s line-up features indie writers and artists filling the Comic Village, robot wars, a Steampunk Emporium with workshops and talks, a KidsZone, eSports competitions, panel discus- sions, a costume-repair desk and the Cosplay Masquerade finale. “The Midlands holds a special place in our hearts,” says MCM Expo Group CEO Bryan Cooney. “Our company is based here, and we plan on providing an awesome show for the region's enthusiastic audience of sci-fi, comic book and film fans.”

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more events from around the region

Crufts NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 March

The highlight of the events calen- dar for dog lovers everywhere, Crufts offers the opportunity to partake in the world’s greatest canine get-together. With more than 22,000 dogs competing for the Best In Show title, a packed arena programme, celebrations of dog heroes who’ve made a difference and more than 400 trade stands around which to browse, this is an event that the whole YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships family can enjoy. In fact, it's fair to say that dog lovers would have to Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Tues 7 - Sun 12 March be, er, barking mad not to attend... A host of badminton’s Rio Olympics stars tion include reigning and six-time champion descend on Birmingham this month to com- Lin Dan and world number one Lee Chong pete for the coveted Yonex title. Wei. Wenlock Olympian Now in its 107th year, Yonex is one of the The pair’s last Birmingham encounter took sport’s five ‘majors’, as well as being its oldest place in the 2012 final, from which Chong Wei Live Arts Festival and most prestigious competition. was forced to withdraw with a shoulder injury. The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Sat 11 - Sun 12 and Sat Players to watch out for at the 2017 competi- 18 - Sun 19 March

Celebrate Mothers’ Day Amazing Brain at Blists Hill Victorian Town Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry Wed 8 March Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sun 26 March The wonders of the human brain are explained Mum is definitely the word at Blists Hill on the and celebrated by scientists from the last Sunday of the month, when the popular University of Warwick during this fascinating Shropshire visitor attraction hosts a Victorian- four-hour event. style Mother’s Day event. Amazing Brain is taking place as part of the second annual Museums & Wellbeing Week, Admission to the venue is free throughout the An event that will be celebrating an initiative set up by a consortium of muse- day for all mums who’re accompanied by its 40th anniversary in a couple of ums to raise awareness of the work they do in another full-paying adult. years’ time, this popular arts festi- the area of health. The Blists Hill line-up of Mothering Sunday val features competitive classes in Commenting on the project, Helen Chatterjee, attractions includes a family trail around the dance, music and speech & drama chair and co-founder of the consortium, the town and two ‘make your own floral rosette’ for children and young people National Alliance For Museums, Health & drop-in workshops. Visitors can also explore aged 18 and under. Wellbeing, said: “The museums sector is mak- the venue’s shops and cottages, buy a slice of It was inspired by the Wenlock ing an important contribution to public health traditional Simnel Cake from the bakery or Olympian Games, an event first through new programmes targeting a host of colour-in a Victorian-style Mother’s Day card. held in 1850 and a forerunner of health & social care service users. It’s impor- A decadent the modern Olympics. The Games tant to convey this to commissioners and other Victorian High are still held in Much Wenlock health & social care professionals, as well as Tea is also avail- every summer. more widely to policy makers, so that we can able at an extra The winners of each arts festival ensure museums are recognised as a vital com- cost but needs category will receive a Wenlock munity asset.” to be pre- Olympian medal as a reward for booked. their success.

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46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events March.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 11:22 Page 6

more events from around the region

Shakespeare Week Shakespeare’s Family Homes, Stratford-upon-Avon, Mon 20 - Sun 26 March A weekend of special events on Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th rounds off this seven-day national celebration of Stratford’s legendary bard. Taking place annually and designed to give Arts & Science Festival 2017 an investigation into how music helps people primary school children ‘a make sense of the world around them, and a cele- Various Birmingham locations, bration of mechanical engineer James Watt, a key great first encounter’ with Mon 13 - Sun 19 March Shakespeare, the event figure in the Industrial Revolution who lived in Comprising a diverse array of concerts, screenings, includes plenty of hands-on Birmingham for a significant part of his life. performances, exhibitions, workshops, talks and family activities to enjoy. Commenting on the event, the festival’s Laura lectures, the University of Birmingham’s annual Highlights include mask-mak- Milner said: “This is our biggest year yet, and we’re festival offers something to excite the curiosity of ing and pop-up puppet-mak- venturing off campus and into the city for many of just about anyone. ing workshops, the chance our events. We’re delighted to be working with the Highlights for 2017 include Dr Alice Roberts for kids to make their own likes of mac Birmingham, Grand Union, explaining how trees can help scientists to unpick Tudor instrument, and per- Birmingham Open Media, Ikon Gallery and the the secrets of archaeological sites, a programme of formances by a number of Electric Cinema as we celebrate research and col- screenings and talks devoted to Homer’s Odyssey, visiting dance troupes. laboration in Birmingham.”

Birmingham Twitter advert@WHATSONBRUM in blue Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Birmingham Botanical Gardens DPS.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 17:35 Page 1

FEATURE

AN OASIS OF CALM IN THE CITY Heather Kincaid explores the delights of Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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by Heather Kincaid

Nestled away behind steel, concrete and and tables chart plants' journeys from amazed by the rainbow colours of the roaring traffic in the busy heart of tropics to tabletops, forests to fridges and Himalayan monal and magnificent Birmingham, there's a lush oasis of calm far-off soils to spice racks and macaw, and follow the quick, darting that you might well have never noticed. supermarket shelves. Elsewhere, you can movements of chattering finches. Near the Featuring four large glasshouses with an follow the evolutionary timeline of plants, educational Growing Schools Garden, air of Victorian grandeur, lively animal from early single-celled bacteria through meanwhile, you can get up close and inhabitants and interactive children's algae, moss and lichen to curling ferns personal with strutting peacocks and areas set in 15 acres of landscaped and finally the complex species that we noisy chickens. Keep an eye out and you greenery, Birmingham Botanical Gardens see today. might even be lucky enough to spot some is the perfect place to escape the noise amazing native wildlife, ranging from Look out for special Easter-themed events and bustle of the city without the need to beautiful butterflies to woodpeckers. coming up over the school holidays, when trek out to the countryside. kids will not only have the chance to take Kids need to burn off some steam? The Going straight into the glasshouses, you'll part in craft activities and an Easter Children's Playground's got you covered. instantly find yourself in the hot, humid bonnet parade, but also to find out all You'll find it right near the picturesque climate of plants from the South American about the cocoa plants used to make the Teulon Cottage gardens and a trio of and Indonesian rainforests - perfect for tasty chocolate for their Easter eggs. historical gardens, laid out in Roman, warming up from Britain's chilly winter Medieval and Tudor styles. As you leave the glasshouses, you can weather. In this Tropical habitat, you'll stop off at the café for a refreshing drink On the other hand, if you're looking for discover a dazzlingly diverse array of or a bite to eat, but if the weather's good some chill-out time for yourself, you can species, ranging from the tasty to the outside, why not pack a picnic and enjoy take a moment to relax to the soothing toxic, from the Giant Reed and the big- it on the rolling lawns, surrounded by sounds of running waterfalls at the based Elephant's Foot to the small but proud pines, leafy shrubs and spectacular Memory Pool, or disappear down mighty Dwarf Cavendish banana. Moving giant redwoods. sheltered paths to find secluded, tranquil on through the equally rich Sub-Tropical seating at the heart of the Bamboo Maze. house will lead you into the temperate Over the summer, you'll also be able to Mediterranean area, a real feast for the step back in time with classic Austen and Whether you're looking for a breath of senses. Upon entering, you'll be Brönte stories, brought to life through fresh air, a quick getaway from the daily immediately hit by a heady floral open-air performances in the Garden's grind, or a fun family day out with fragrance in a room awash with the vivid natural amphitheatre. And on fine days, activities for the kids, Birmingham colours of bright, beautiful blooms. you might even get to catch an outdoor Botanical Gardens has plenty for everyone Finally, in the Arid section, you'll film screening. to discover. encounter huge, prickly cacti and sturdy succulents, tough enough to withstand Don't forget to stop and say hello to the harsh conditions of the Central Casper the friendly cockatoo, and to look The Gardens are open every day American desert. in on his lovebird neighbours near the (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing glasshouses and café. But these can't Day) from 10am to 5pm, extending to Along the way, there are opportunities to quite claim the title of the Garden's most 6pm or 7pm in the summer. learn about how plants are used in our spectacular birds. Over at the Lawn Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £5.25 for day-to-day lives. Ever wondered where the Aviary, you'll see brilliant flashes of blue children and concessions, and £22 for a ingredients for your snacks, soaps or even in the fabulous feathers of azure-winged family of two adults and up to three stationery come from? Information signs magpies, spreo starlings and tragopan, be concessions.

Coming soon! Birmingham Botanical Gardens is to host Jurassic Kingdom: Where Dinosaurs Come To Life from 20 May to 4 June. This event will feature more than 30 animatronic life-sized dinosaurs - including an 18 metre-long Tryannosaurus Rex - lurking across the gardens.

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Your week to week listings guide March 2017 thelist

Emily Portman & The Coracle Band at Ludlow Assembly Rooms - Monday 27 March 27 Monday - Rooms Assembly Ludlow at Band Coracle The Portman& Emily

Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more!

What’s On Wed 1 to Sun 5 March Mon 6 to Sun 12 March Mon 13 to Sun 19 March Mon 20 to Fri 31 March

Codsall Village Dining Club at An Evening with Levison Wood Shrewsbury 10K in Gangsta Granny at Village Coffee & Bakery, Codsall at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Shrewsbury Town Centre Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Sun 5 March Wed 8 March Sun 19 March Wed 22 - Sun 26 March

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thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March THROUGHOUT MARCH VANT Fri 3 Mar, O2 Theatre Gigs Institute, Birmingham ELO AGAIN Sat 4 Mar, HEAVY BEAT BRASS Lichfield Garrick, a selection of work produced BAND Fri 3 Mar, Hare & Staffordshire in response to the 2017 edition of BLUE OCTOBER Wed 1 Visual Arts Hounds, Birmingham FORMAT photography festival, Fri 24 Mar, O2 Institute, THE FATHER TEDS Sat 4 Bilston Craft Gallery Mar - Sat 22 Apr, The Brewhouse Birmingham DREAMWAVE WITH THE Mar, Irish Centre, Arts Centre KINGS PISTOL, EYRE Birmingham BOWLS, BUCKETS AND BEDSTEADS - SCORPZ Wed 1 Mar, LLEW & GOYA Fri 3 Mar, SWAMPMEAT FAMILY BILSTON INDUSTRIES BETWEEN THE Hare & Hounds, B’ham Foxlowe Arts Centre, BAND Sat 4 Mar, The WARS The period between the wars Wolverhampton Art Gallery TALL SHIPS Wed 1 Mar, Staffordshire Night Owl, Birmingham is often remembered for economic NEW MICHAEL BRENNAND WOOD - Hare & Hounds, B’ham SEEDS OF MEMORY Exhibition featur- BOB DRAKE, NATURE NIBBS & EDDY Sat 4 depression, but Bilston industries HANNAH JOHNSON AND ing retrospective pieces including CENTRE & KATEGOES Fri Mar, Havana Republic large and small kept producing the THE BROKEN HEARTS Archive and The Art Of The Stitch 3 Mar, Ort Cafe, B’ham Bar and Restaurant, goods. Featuring products from firms Wed 1 Mar, The Jam alongside nine new specially com- TRANSMISSION (JOY Shrewsbury such as Beldray, Sankey and House, Birmingham Phoenix Glass, until Sun 26 Mar missioned works, Sat 11 Mar - Sun 7 DIVISION TRIBUTE) & GUNS OR ROSES Sat 4 ANNISOKAY, GRIEVER & A May RAMONED Fri 3 Mar, Mar, Newhampton Arts PROMISE TO FORGET Newcastle Borough Museum The Roadhouse, Centre, W’hampton & Art Gallery Other VISUAL ARTS Wed 1 Mar, The Birmingham Flapper, Birmingham MAETLOAF & THE NEVER BETWEEN THE LINES - OUTLINE ART SHROPSHIRE ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION DECADE Fri 3 Mar, The NEVERLAND EXPRESS THE BUDAPEST CAFÉ Outline Art are a group of profession- Showcasing the work of Marion Asylum, Birmingham Sat 4 Mar, The River ORCHESTRA Wed 1 al artists who live on the borders of Reed, Helen Sample and John DE LA SOUL Fri 3 Mar, Rooms, Stourbridge Mar, Keele University, Cheshire East and Staffordshire. The Willetts, until Fri 3 Mar, St Mary's O2 Institute, B’ham Staffordshire MUMBO JUMBO Sat 4 exhibition features work in different Church, Shrewsbury BLACK STAR RIDERS Fri Mar, Theatre On The CHRIS WOOD Wed 1 styles across a wide range of disci- BRIERLEY HILL SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 3 Mar, William Aston Steps, Bridgnorth, Mar, Kitchen Garden plines, until Wed 15 Mar EXHIBITION Featuring contributions Hall, Shrewsbury South Shropshire Cafe, Birmingham TIME PASSING-TREES Gunhild from 24 artists working in a variety of THE SENSATIONAL 60'S TOOTHLESS Sat 4 Mar, JIM CAUSLEY Wed 1 Thomson uses photography to media, including watercolours, oils, EXPERIENCE O2 Institute, B’ham record changes in nature. She pro- pastels and acrylics, until Sun 12 Mar, The Red Lion Folk Fri 3 Mar, New KEHLANI Sat 4 Mar, O2 duces a series of photos, taken from Mar, Red House Glass Cone, Club, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Institute, Birmingham the same position, over a period of Stourbridge WEDNESDAY 13 Wed 1 Birmingham time, documenting the changes Mar, The Slade Rooms, KIRVANA (NIRVANA TEMPERED NOT QUENCHED - THE THE BARRON KNIGHTS through the seasons, until Wed 15 BATTLE FOR BILSTON'S STEELWORKS An Wolverhampton TRIBUTE BAND) Sat 4 Fri 3 Mar, Lichfield Mar, The Slade Rooms, Mar exhibition exploring an overlooked STEVIE NIMMO TRIO Garrick, Staffordshire Wolverhampton chapter in Britain’s industrial rela- Wed 1 Mar, The Robin, BLACK CELEBRATION Fri New Art Gallery - Walsall tions history, until Wed 29 Mar, Bilston MALARKEY Sat 4 Mar, Wolverhampton City Archives 3 Mar, The River The Sunflower Lounge, SCENES OF WALSALL Many scenes of CILLA AND THE SHADES Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham Walsall have been collected since THREE COUNTIES OPEN PHOTOGRAPHY Wed 1 Mar, The Place, LOS PACAMINOS FEAT the establishment of Walsall’s public EXHIBITION 2017 Images by talented Oakengates Theatre, THE 80'S INVASION TOUR PAUL YOUNG Fri 3 Mar, art collection in 1892. To help cele- photographers from Staffordshire, Telford, Shropshire Sat 4 Mar, Victoria Hall, brate the Permanent Collection’s Cheshire and Shropshire, until Wed The Robin, Bilston Stoke-on-Trent COSMO PYKE Wed 1 125th birthday, a range of these 29 Mar, Keele University ANDY MILLS Fri 3 Mar, Mar, The Sunflower YOUNG CULTURE are here on display, from a litho- Havana Republic Bar MAGNUM PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION - Lounge, Birmingham COLLECTIVE Sun 5 Mar, graph of Walsall High Street in 1845 EVOLUTION EXPLORED The work of and Restaurant, The Actress & Bishop, ELBOW Wed 1 - Thurs 2 to contemporary photographs, until internationally renowned photogra- Shrewsbury Birmingham Mar, O2 Academy, Sun 16 July phers reaches new audiences on the FRAN T HE MAN Fri 3 Birmingham AN EVENING WITH ANNE streets of Shrewsbury in a special Mar, Irish Centre, REID Sun 5 Mar, LADY LESHURR Thurs 2 Potteries Museum & Art exhibition inspired by the town’s Birmingham Festival Drayton Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent Mar, O2 Institute, links to Charles Darwin, until Sun 23 MAGIC DOOR Fri 3 Mar, Centre, North Birmingham NEW ANN SUTTON: ON THE GRID Apr, The Square, Shrewsbury Lab 11, Birmingham Shropshire Touring exhibition bringing the work POLAR, GIANTS, TO THE SIR ALAN COBHAM’S FLYING CIRCUS: A LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Fri 3 BLAZE BAYLEY Sun 5 of Ann Sutton back to her roots in WIND & MY ONLY Thurs LIFE OF A PIONEERING AVIATOR Highly Mar, Theatre Severn, Mar, The Roadhouse, Stoke-on-Trent and showcasing a 2 Mar, The Flapper, visual display about pioneering avia- Shrewsbury Birmingham new body of work inspired by her tor Sir Alan Cobham’s life and his Birmingham THE CLONE ROSES Fri 3 KRIS DREVER Sun 5 travels, Sat 18 Mar - Sun 27 Aug many notable achievements, show- TRAGEDY: A METAL Mar, The Place, Mar, The Hive, casing some of the ‘treasures’ from TRIBUTE TO THE BEE Oakengates Theatre, Shrewsbury Shire Hall Gallery - Stafford the collection, until Sun 30 Apr, RAF GEES & BEYOND Thurs 2 Telford, Shropshire LUKAS GRAHAM Sun 5 NEW ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Cosford, Shifnal Mar, The Robin, Bilston WOOD AND NAILS Fri 3 Mar, O2 Academy, MEMBERS BIENNIAL Exhibition show- NEW CONVERSATION WORKS Art THE ORWELLS Thurs 2 Mar, The Sunflower Birmingham casing work from RPS members, International was founded by Mar, Hare & Hounds, Lounge, Birmingham from digital to analogue, including Svetlana Elantseva in 2009. The aim Birmingham PAT JORDAN & FINIAN'S of the group is to promote interna- IDA NIELSEN Fri 3 Mar, RAINBOW Sun 5 Mar, alternative processes, phone photog- TWIN WILD Thurs 2 Mar, tional understanding and co-opera- Pizza Express Live, Irish Centre, B’ham raphy and scientific work, Sat 4 - Sun Hare & Hounds, tion through art, Thurs 2 Mar - Mon 3 Birmingham 26 Mar Birmingham MARRY WATERSON & Apr, Qube Gallery, Oswestry DEEKLINE Fri 3 Mar, DAVID A JAYCOCK Sun 5 OSWESTRY YOUTH Shrewsbury Museum & Art NEW PRINT & COLLECTORS Featuring Hare & Hounds, B’ham Mar, Henry Tudor MUSIC FESTIVAL Thurs Gallery contributions from Richard Bawden, House, Shrewsbury 2 Mar, Oswestry TRU GROOVE Fri 3 - Sat Melvyn Evans, Cameron Short and RHYME AROUND THE WORLD Featuring Showground, 4 Mar, The Jam House, WITH CONFIDENCE Sun Andrew Waddington, plus work from artwork by best-loved, best-selling Shropshire Birmingham 5 Mar, The Asylum, and acclaimed illustrators, including; The Redfern Gallery, Sat 4 Mar - Sat Birmingham THE ELO EXPERIENCE HOSTILE Sat 4 Mar, O2 Robert Ingpen, Shirley Hughes, Axel 1 Apr, Twenty Twenty Gallery, Much Thurs 2 Mar, New Institute, B’ham MAN & THE ECHO Sun 5 Scheffler, Emily Gravett, Mini Grey, Wenlock Alexandra Theatre, Mar, The Sunflower Jessica Ahlberg and Polly Dunbar, NEW CARL ANSLOOS SOLO EXHIBITION LASHARVU Sat 4 Mar, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham until Sun 7 May Carl's first solo exhibition after return- Pizza Express Live, Birmingham EZIO Sun 5 Mar, The The Brewhouse Arts Centre, ing from two years living and paint- GOLDSANDS Fri 3 Mar, ing in Valencia, Spain, Mon 6 - Sat O2 Academy, B’ham KING KING Sat 4 Mar, Wightman Theatre, Burton-upon-Trent Shrewsbury 25 Mar, The Bear Steps Gallery PROPAGANDA Fri 3 Mar, The Robin, Bilston NEW BURTON & SOUTH DERBYSHIRE O2 Academy, B’ham COLLEGE (BSDC) FORMAT Showcasing CHAS N DAVE Sat 4 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse

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Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March Classical Music Comedy Gigs CBSO: BRITISH CLASSICS Featuring John Wilson (conductor) & HENNING WEHN Thurs 2 Mar, Theatre Roderick Williams (baritone). Severn, Shrewsbury Programme includes works by GEORGE EGG, CAIMH MCDONNELL, Walton, Elgar, Wood, Farnon, RAHUL KOHLI, STU WOODINGS & BARRY Coates, Ireland, German & Vaughan DODDS Thurs 2 Mar, Foxlowe Arts Williams, Wed 1 Mar, Symphony Centre, Staffordshire Hall, Birmingham KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs FRENCH HORN RECITAL WITH JAVIER 2 Mar, Stourbridge Town Hall BONET Also featuring Joanne Sealey MARK NELSON, THE NOISE NEXT DOOR & (piano). Programme includes works TWO COMICS TBC Thurs 2 Mar, The by Schubert, Brotons, Dukas, George Hotel, Lichfield Schumann, Sarasate, Piazzola & CRAIG HILL, LIAM PICKFORD & DIANE Monti, Thurs 2 Mar, Birmingham SPENCER Fri 3 Mar, Jongleurs Conservatoire Comedy Club, Birmingham OLIVER KNUSSEN CONDUCTS GRIME JOHN ROBERTSON, PHIL LUCAS Fri 3 BCMG premiere Helen Grime's Mar, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge Piano Concert alongside works by PAUL MCCAFFREY, JOSH HOWIE, PETE Carter, Boulez and Maxwell Davies, OTWAY & COMIC TBC Fri 3 Mar, The Fri 3 Mar, CBSO Centre, B’ham Comedy Loft, Birmingham BBC PHILHARMONIC Featuring Diego PAUL MCCAFFREY, JOSH HOWIE, PETE Mathuez (conductor) & Laura van OTWAY & COMIC TBC Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, Spillikin - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton and Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury de Heijden (soloist). Programme The Comedy Loft, Birmingham includes works by Berlioz, Elgar & famous classical Chinese dramas, Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Mar, mac, Birmingham Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel), Fri 3 Mar, ROB DEERING, KEITH FARNAN, LAURA until Sat 25 Mar, The Swan Theatre, HILDA AND THE SPECTRUM Surrealist Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent LEXX & COMIC TBC Sat 4 Mar, The Stratford-upon-Avon play which follows the meeting and Glee Club, Birmingham VAMPIRE'S ROCK: THE GHOST TRAIN relationship between two otherworld- CRAIG HILL, LIAM PICKFORD & DIANE Steve Steinman returns as Barron ly outsiders, told through mime, SPENCER Sat 4 Mar, Jongleurs Von Rockula in an all-new saga, Wed clowning and improvisation, Fri 3 Comedy Club, Birmingham 1 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham Birmingham MARILYN Gwyn Edwards’ new play, ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 4 Mar, The ROUND THE HORNE: THE 50TH based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent ANNIVERSARY TOUR Take a step back Fri 3 Mar, Theatre On The Steps, in time and experience this radio Bridgnorth, South Shropshire STUART GOLDSMITH Sun 5 Mar, The comedy classic live, Wed 1 Mar, Glee Club, Birmingham HANCOCK’S HALF HOUR: ONE MAN, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent MANY VOICES James Hurn voices the DALISO CHAPONDA, LOU CONRAN, GAVIN BEAUTIFUL MONSTER UK premiere of entire cast of three classic episodes WEBSTER & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 5 BEL CANTO: THE SONGS OF DONIZETTI Karlton Parris’ darkly brooding play, of Hancock’s Half Hour, Fri 3 Mar, Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury & BELLINI Featuring Sarah-Jane set on the eve of Mary Shelley’s The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Brandon (soprano), Stephanie death, Wed 1 Mar, Mitchell Arts LAKME Swansea City Opera present Marshall (mezzo-soprano) & Gary Centre, Stoke-on-Trent Delibes’ ‘jewel of an opera’, Fri 3 Matthewman (piano). Programme MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL All-singing, Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury includes works by Donizetti & Theatre all-dancing musical starring Cheryl JULIUS CAESAR Angus Jackson Bellini, Fri 3 Mar, The Barber Ferguson, Maureen Nolan, Rebecca directs Shakespeare’s epic and Institute, Birmingham Wheatley & Ruth Berkeley, Wed 1 thrilling tragedy as the politics of spin Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury GALA PIANO ALL-NIGHTER 12 hours of WAITING FOR GODOT Presented by and betrayal turn bloody and brutal, Piano Music, featuring Simon Different Animal, Tues 28 Feb - Thurs I AM BEAST Sparkle & Dark fuse life- Fri 3 Mar - Sat 9 Sep, Royal Callow, Alistair McGowan, Gergely 2 Mar, Lichfield Garrick sized puppetry and live music in an Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Boganyi, Peter Donohoe, Dr. Anna award-winning exploration of the upon-Avon THE WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION power of grief and childish imagina- Scott, Antony Hewitt and many The Crescent Theatre Company PRESENT LAUGHTER Associate artist tion, Wed 1 Mar, Theatre Severn, more... Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, presents its version of Agatha Vanessa Comer directs Noel Shrewsbury Birmingham Town Hall Christie’s most celebrated courtroom Coward's classic comedy, Fri 3 - Sat AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and drama, Sat 25 Feb - Sat 4 Mar, HAPPY HOUR New-work night hosted 11 Mar, The Bear Pit Theatre - The Amphitheatre Productions, Sat 4 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham by Tmesis Theatre, one of the UK's United Reformed Church, Stratford- leading physical theatre companies, upon-Avon Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, MACBETH The Nonentities present an Wed 1 Mar, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham amateur staging of Shakespeare’s BERYL Maxine Peake’s warm and Birmingham YEOMAN OF THE GUARD Presented by bloodiest play, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 witty celebration of unsung sporting the City of Birmingham Symphony Mar, The Rose Theatre, HOLMES & WATSON Stuart Fortey’s legend Beryl Burton, Fri 3 - Sat 18 blend of murder, mystery & comedy, Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- Orchestra and featuring the Kidderminster Thurs 2 Mar, Theatre Severn, under-Lyme University of Birmingham Voices, SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Alexandra Shrewsbury John Wilston (conductor), Sarah Burke takes the lead in Craig Revel TIATA FAHODZI: GOOD DOG A piece of Fox (Elsie Maynard), Heather Shipp Horwood’s staging of the smash-hit SPILLIKIN Pipeline use theatre to theatre which chronicles growing up (Phoebe), Benjamin Hulett (Colonel musical comedy, Mon 27 Feb - Sat 4 explore big questions of love, death in a multicultural community, and the Fairfax), Simon Butteriss (Jack Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and technology, Thurs 2 Mar, Arena everyday injustices that drive people Theatre, Wolverhampton to take back control, Sat 4 Mar, mac, Point) and Sir Thomas Allen AMÉDÉE British playwright, director Birmingham (Sergeant Meryll), Sat 4 Mar, and comedian Sean Foley (The Play A MACHINE THEY'RE SECRETLY BUILDING Symphony Hall, Birmingham What I Wrote,The Ladykillers) brings Proto-type Theater vent their frustra- HAIRY FAIRY TALES Hairy Fairy Tales OLIVER KNUSSEN CONDUCTS GRIME Eugene Ionesco's surreal comedy to tion at the insidious machine of sur- use rhyme, song, music, puppetry, BCMG premiere Helen Grime's life in his sharp and finely tuned new veillance, Thurs 2 - Fri 3 Mar, mac, mime and magical transformations to Birmingham retell a series of classic fairytales, Sat Piano Concert alongside works by adaptation. Josie Lawrence and 4 Mar, Ellesmere College Arts Centre, Carter, Boulez and Maxwell Davies, Trevor Cox star, Roxana Silbert PA/NG New night celebrating the best North Shropshire Sun 5 Mar, CBSO Centre, B’ham directs... Tues 28 Feb - Sat 11 Mar, in local emerging artists and span- The REP, Birmingham ning music, live art, performance and AIDA Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre SNOW IN MIDSUMMER A contemporary digital art. Playwright, poet & screen- Productions present a new interpre- re-imagining of one of the most writer Sabrina Mahfouz headlines, tation of Verdi’s classic opera. Olga

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WHAT’S ON AT THEATRE SEVERN...

FRI 3 MAR TUE 7 - WED 8 MAR

Vamos Theatre present THE BEST THING

A swinging sixties story about Swansea City opera return with sexual revolution, mistaken this ravishing French opera, set morals and broken hearts, from in India during the 1880s amid one of the country’s must-see religious tensions and conflict. theatre companies.

THU 9 MAR FRI 17 MAR CAMILLE THE NOISE O’SULLIVAN THE CARNY DREAM NEXT DOOR UPROAR! Side-splitting jokes, jaw-dropping characters, and mind-blowing songs...

Described as ‘a cross between Sally Bowles, Patti Smith and PJ Harvey’, CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN performs uniquely theatrical interpretations of songs by Bowie, Cave, Brel, Arcade Fire, Radiohead and more.

TUE 28 MAR - SAT 1 APR FRI 7 - SUN 9 APR

London Classic Theatre presents

“A custard pie of comic brilliance” TIME OUT

This Olivier Award-winning X FACTOR WINNER JOE MCELDERRY comedy and hilarious farce DONS THE COVETED COAT! explores the fallout when the Lyrics by Music by brilliant minds of Sigmund TIM RICE ANDREW LLOYD Freud and Salvador Dali collide. WEBBER

C H E C K T H E W E B S I T E F O R F U L L L I S T I N G S

BOX OFFICE 01743 281 281 BOOK ONLINE WWW.THEATRESEVERN.CO.UK THEATRE SEVERN, FRANKWELL QUAY, SHREWSBURY SY3 8FT

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thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 March Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova & Liza MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (15) Drama. Kadelnik star, Sat 4 Mar, New Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Williams. The Electric Cinema, SPILLIKIN Pipeline use theatre to Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Mar explore big questions of love, death A MONSTER CALLS (12a) and technology, Sat 4 Mar, Theatre Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Severn, Shrewsbury Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones. THE VIRGIN MARIAS Lying Lips Theatre Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Company present a revenge play, Shropshire, Wed 1 Mar written by Nathalie Bazán and pre- FIRE IN THE BLOOD (PG) Documentary. sented in Jacobean English, Sat 4 Starring Zackie Achmat, Peter Mar, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham Mugyenyi. Free entry. Foxlowe Arts CONFUSIONS Amateur production of Centre, Leek, Staffs, Wed 1 Mar Alan Ayckbourn’s five short plays, THE CARD (U) Comedy. Starring Alec each of which deals with a different Guinness, Glynis Johns. Free entry. set of human emotions and dilem- Stoke Film Theatre, Wed 1 Mar mas, Sat 4 - Sat 11 Mar, The Oldbury ARRIVAL (12a) Drama/Sci-Fi. Starring Rep Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner. The AN EVENING WITH ANNE REID Join the Electric Cinema, B’ham, Thurs 2 Mar star of Dinnerladies and Last Tango PASSENGERS (12a) Adventure/Sci-Fi. In Halifax for an evening of cabaret, Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Sun 5 March, Festival Drayton, Pratt. Wem Town Hall, Shropshire, Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai - Genting Arena, Birmingham Market Drayton, North Shropshire Thurs 2 Mar STARFISH (15) Drama. Starring Florence Pugh, Christopher mosaics, Sat 4 Mar, Shrewsbury Joanne Froggatt, Tom Riley. Ludlow Fairbank. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Museum & Art Gallery Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Shropshire, Sun 5 Mar TEDDY BEAR RESTORATION & ADVICE Dance Wed 1 Mar CLINIC Bring your teddy bear along LIVE BY NIGHT (15) Crime/Drama. NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: for free advice on identification, age Starring Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning. or ‘clinical’ needs, Sat 4 Mar, Merrythought Shop, Ironbridge, DANCE SAMPLED Showcase of various Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 2 Mar Released from Fri 3 March, showing Shropshire dance styles, from the sexiest tango WHITE GOD (15) Drama/Thriller. at selected cinemas to the hottest hip-hop, a classy taste Starring Zsófia Psotta, Sándor Zsótér. FLOYD MAYWEATHER'S LAS VEGAS BALL of ballet, plus some gripping kathak Foreign language, subtitled. The FIST FIGHT (15) Sat 4 Mar, International Convention and mind-blowing contemporary. Full Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 Mar LOGAN (tbc) Centre (ICC), Birmingham line-up to be confirmed... Fri 3 - Sat 4 MY FERAL HEART (12a) Drama. TRESPASS AGAINST US (15) GHOST TOURS An evening ghost tour Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome of one of Britain’s most haunted Starring Suzanna Hamilton, Pixie Le VICEROY'S HOUSE (12a) Knot. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, buildings, Sat 4 Mar, Aston Hall, South Shropshire, Fri 3 Mar Birmingham BLOW UP (15) Drama/Crime. Starring SOOTY'S BIRTHDAY BAKE OFF Direct David Hemmings, Vanessa from the hit CITV series. Join the Film gang as they bake a chocolate cake Redgrave. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Events South Shropshire, Fri 3 Mar with a sprinkle of Cadbury magic, Sat INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: 4 - Sun 5 Mar, Cadbury World, WAITING FOR YOU (15) Drama/Mystery. Birmingham Starring Colin Morgan, Fanny Ardant. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL VAREKAI - TALES OF Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South THE FOREST Wed 1 - Sun 5 Mar, ELIZABETHAN LIVING HISTORY EVENT 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (15) Shropshire, Fri 3 Mar Genting Arena, Birmingham The house is brought to life with re- Comedy/Drama. Starring Elle WHAT CAREER LIVE? WHAT UNIVERSITY enactments of Elizabethan life, com- Fanning, Alia Shawkat. Light House DENIAL (12a) Biography/Drama. LIVE? An essential event for 15 to 19- plete with costumes, music and Media Centre, Wolverhampton, until Starring Rachel Weisz, Tom year-olds, to help them decide what dancing, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Mar, Thurs 2 Mar Wilkinson. Old Market Hall, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster Shrewsbury, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Mar to do after leaving school - whether LION (PG) Drama. Starring Dev Patel, it’s an apprenticeship, school-leaver THE MONKEY FOREST OWL EXPERIENCE Nicole Kidman. Malvern Theatres, TINKER BELL & THE LEGEND OF THE programme or university after A Learn all about these beautiful birds, until Thurs 2 Mar; Old Market Hall, NEVERBEAST (U) Animation/Adventure. Levels, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Mar, NEC, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Mar, Trentham Monkey Shrewsbury, until Thurs 9 Mar mac, Birmingham, Sat 4 Mar Birmingham Forest, Stoke-on-Trent JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. BRITAIN ON FILM: RAILWAYS (U) PETER KAY'S DANCE FOR LIFE Peter Kay THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKEND Starring Natalie Portman, Peter Documentary. Ludlow Assembly brings his three-hour dance-athons Thomas and friends invite you to join Sarsgaard. mac, Birmingham, until Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 4 Mar to Coventry, with all profits going to them on their magical weekends, Sat Thurs 2 Mar; Stoke Film Theatre, Fri ROCK DOG (PG) Animation/Comedy. Cancer Research UK, Fri 3 - Sat 4 4 - Sun 5 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme 3 - Sat 4 Mar With the voices of Luke Wilson, Mar, Ricoh Arena, Coventry Park, Staffordshire LOVING (12a) Biography/Drama. Eddie Izzard. Ludlow Assembly THE NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW Try, ZOENSO SKETCHBOOK SATURDAYS Sat 4 Starring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton. Rooms, South Shropshire, Sat 4 Mar buy, book and hire everything you Mar - Sat 8 Apr, The Hive, The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, THE ODYSSEY (12a) Adventure, need for your special day at the ulti- Shrewsbury until Thurs 2 Mar; mac, Birmingham, Biography. Starring Lambert Wilson, mate day out for the whole bridal SPRING TRAIL Find out how Attingham Fri 3 - Sun 5 Mar Audrey Tautou. Foreign language, party. With over 300 wedding spe- Park bursts into life, in a riot of colour MOONLIGHT (15) Drama. Starring subtitled. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, cialists, from bridal boutiques and and growth, Sat 4 Mar - Fri 2 Jun, Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp. The South Shropshire, Sat 4 Mar florists to jewellers and photogra- Attingham Park, Shropshire Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until phers, this event is the ultimate wed- LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. THE TUDOR WOMAN Marking the Thurs 2 Mar Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. ding shopping experience, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Mar, NEC, Birmingham beginning of Women's History HIDDEN FIGURES (PG) Festival Drayton Centre, Market Month, Sun 5 Mar, Blakesley Hall, BRIT ASIA TV WORLD MUSIC AWARDS Drama/Biography. Starring Taraji P. Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 3 Mar; The Birmingham Henson, Octavia Spencer. The Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 4 - Featuring the best of both British- CODSALL VILLAGE DINING CLUB Sun 5 Electric Cinema, Birmingham, until Sun 5 Mar Asian and international music, includ- Mar, Village Coffee, Bar & Kitchen, Thurs 2 Mar THE GENERAL (U) Adventure/Comedy.. ing R&B, Grime, Bhangra and Bollywood, Sat 4 Mar, Barclaycard Codsall HACKSAW RIDGE (15) Drama/History. Starring Buster Keaton, Marion Mack. Arena, Birmingham THE IMPERIAL COMMERCIALS Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South VOLKSWAGEN DONINGTON RALLY Sun 5 Worthington. The Electric Cinema, Shropshire, Sun 5 Mar MOSAIC WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL ARTIST Mar, Donington Park Circuit, Derby Birmingham, until Thurs 2 Mar LADY MACBETH (18) Drama. Starring LINDSEY KENNEDY Learn about making beautiful glass and mirror tile

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thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 March LUCY SPRAGGAN Thurs LAO CHE Sat 11 Mar, O2 LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: Gigs 9 Mar, O2 Institute, Institute, Birmingham Classical SUPERHEROES AT SYMPHONY HALL An Birmingham BANG ON THE EAR Sat afternoon of music celebrating the THE BEACH BOYS STORY 11 Mar, Irish Centre, iconic scores from your favourite HIGHLY SUSPECT Mon 6 Music Thurs 9 Mar, The Birmingham Superheroes, Sun 12 Mar, Mar, O2 Academy, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Robin, Bilston THE REAL PEOPLE Sat 11 Birmingham MONDAY SHOWCASE Featuring Aaron EVAROSE Thurs 9 Mar, Mar, The Rainbow PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA THE SESHEN Mon 6 Mar, Bilson (cello) & Connor Wilcox O2 Academy, B’ham Venues, Birmingham Featuring Daniele Rosina (conduc- Hare & Hounds, B’ham (piano) - Rachmaninov's Cello tor). Programme includes works by JOE DOLMAN Thurs 9 THE ELO ENCOUNTER DUTCH UNCLES Mon 6 Sonata. Also featuring Shiya Zhang Schoenberg, Mussorgsky, Boris Mar, The Sunflower Sat 11 Mar, The Mar, Hare & Hounds, (soprano) & Bernard Tan (piano) Godunov & Prokofiev, Sun 12 Mar, Lounge, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham who’ll perform works by Arr. Qiu- The Bramall, Birmingham University SOMEONE LIKE YOU - FEROCIOUS DOG Sat 11 Feng Zheng, Xue-Qin Cao, Zhu ELLA - CELEBRATING 100 THE ADELE SONGBOOK Mar, Newhampton Arts Qing & Arr. Yan-Jiang Hu, Mon 6 YEARS Mon 6 Mar, Thurs 9 Mar, Victoria Centre, Mar, Birmingham Conservatoire Crescent Theatre, Hall, Staffordshire Wolverhampton Birmingham LOUIS LORTIE CELEBRITY RECITAL CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN THE CONCESSIONS Sat Programme comprises George LANY Mon 6 Mar, O2 Comedy Gigs Thurs 9 Mar, Theatre 11 Mar, Birchmeadow Institute, Birmingham Benjamin's Shadowlines & 6 Severn, Shrewsbury Centre, Broseley, Canonic Preludes plus Chopin's 24 PRESS TO MECO Mon 6 COUNT ARTHUR STRONG Wed 8 Mar, ARGLE BARGLE Fri 10 South Shropshire Preludes Op.28, Tues 7 Mar, Mar, The Sunflower Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Mar, O2 Academy, THE MERSEY BEATLES Birmingham Conservatoire Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham Sat 11 Mar, Stafford CBSO: WHEN IN ROME Presented by STUART GOLDSMITH Thurs 9 Mar, JOSEFIN ÖHRN & THE Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury PROPAGANDA Fri 10 Gatehouse Theatre the City Of Birmingham Symphony LIBERATION Tues 7 Mar, Mar, O2 Academy, DRAGSTER, VOODOO Orchestra and featuring Daniele CARL DONNELLY, TOM LUCY, CHRISTIAN Hare & Hounds, B’ham Birmingham KINGS, DEMON SMILES, Rustioni (conductor) & Francesca SCHULTE-LOH & PAUL THORNE Fri 10 BILL LAURANCE Tues 7 Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham NORMAN JAY Fri 10 Mar, WASTED LIFE & FACE UP Dego (violin). Programme includes Mar, The Glee Club, Hare & Hounds, B’ham Sat 11 Mar, The works by Wagner, Wolf-Ferrari, AL MURRAY Fri 10 Mar, Theatre Birmingham Flapper, Birmingham Respighi & Mendelssohn, Wed 8 Severn, Shrewsbury J J GALWAY Fri 10 Mar, 80'S INVASION Tues 7 Mar, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Irish Centre, B’ham WHITE LIES Sat 11 Mar, Mar, Theatre Severn, Keele University, ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC FOO 5IGHTERS Fri 10 Shrewsbury Staffordshire FEATURING JORDI SAVALL Mar, The Roadhouse, US THE DUO Wed 8 Mar, (VIOL/DIRECTOR) Birmingham GOJIRA Sat 11 Mar, O2 Programme O2 Academy, B’ham Academy, Birmingham includes works by Lully, Marais, THE UPBEAT BEATLES Fri JULY TALK Wed 8 Mar, Handel & Rameau, Thurs 9 Mar, 10 Mar, YOU WIN AGAIN - THE Hare & Hounds, B’ham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand STORY OF THE BEE GEES, BARE KNUCKLE PARADE Theatre Sat 11 Mar, The Place, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE: LE Wed 8 Mar, Hare & Oakengates Theatre, NOZZE DI FIGARO BY WOLFGANG THE PIGEON DETECTIVES Hounds, Birmingham Telford, Shropshire AMADEUS MOZART Featuring Fraser Fri 10 Mar, The Goulding (conductor) & Michael EMMA BALLANTINE Wed Sugarmill, Staffordshire CARA DILLON Sat 11 8 Mar, Kitchen Garden Mar, Theatre Severn, Barry (director), Thurs 9 - Sat 11 LOWER THAN ATLANTIS ADAM BLOOM, JUNIOR SIMPSON, LAURA Cafe, Birmingham Shrewsbury Mar, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Fri 10 Mar, O2 LEXX & COMIC TBC Fri 10 Mar, The CHETHAM'S SCHOOL OF MUSIC DAYGLO ABORTIONS Wed Academy, B’ham THAT'LL BE THE DAY Sat Comedy Loft, Birmingham 8 Mar, The Rainbow 11 Mar, Theatre Featuring Julius Jonusas (cello), NINE BELOW ZERO Fri 10 CARLY SMALLMAN & NICK PAGE Fri 10 Venues, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury Amber Jordan (saxophone), Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Mar, The Robin, Bilston Gemma Riley (trombone) & Martyn THE PIGEON DETECTIVES TEN FE Sun 12 Mar, CARL DONNELLY, TOM LUCY, CHRISTIAN MARTIN SIMPSON Fri 10 Parkes (accompanist), Fri 10 Mar, Wed 8 Mar, O2 Hare & Hounds, B’ham SCHULTE-LOH & PAUL THORNE Sat 11 Mar, Newhampton Arts The Barber Institute, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Centre, RAINER HERSCH: COMEDY MEETS THE MAWKIN Wed 8 Mar, Wolverhampton LOU CONRAN, QUINCY, SCOTT GIBSON ORCHESTRA Programme includes The Red Lion Folk Sat 11 Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, THE FALLEN STATE Fri 10 works by Rossini, Beethoven, Club, Birmingham Birmingham Mar, O2 Institute, Mozart, Strauss, Verdi & Vivaldi, Fri TINARIWEN Wed 8 Mar, Birmingham 10 Mar, Symphony Hall, B’ham HANNAH SILVESTER, CRAIG DEELEY Sat The Glee Club, B’ham 11 Mar, mac, Birmingham GLASS ANIMALS Fri 10 BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR: ST MARK TRIBUTE TO OTIS Mar, O2 Institute, PASSION Featuring Paul Spicer ADAM BLOOM, JUNIOR SIMPSON, LAURA REDDING PERFORMED BY Birmingham (director), Elizabeth Cragg (sopra- LEXX & COMIC TBC Sat 11 Mar, The MUDIBU & THE JEZEBEL DAVE BUSBY Fri 10 Mar, no), Simon Ponsford (coun- Comedy Loft, Birmingham SEXTET Wed 8 Mar, The Havana Republic Bar SUPERHEROES AT THE tertenor), Thomas Hobbs ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 11 Mar, The Robin, Bilston and Restaurant, SYMPHONY Sun 12 Mar, (Evangelist), Jeremy Budd (tenor) & Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent CHALI 2NA Symphony Hall, B’ham Thurs 9 Mar, Shrewsbury Henry Neill (baritone), Sat 11 Mar, KOJO, AXEL BLAKE, SLIM & KANE Hare & Hounds, B’ham REACH Fri 10 Mar, PETER KNIGHT'S LIchfield Cathedral BROWN Sun 12 Mar, The Glee Club, GIGSPANNER Sun 12 PROSE Thurs 9 Mar, Eleven, Staffordshire NIGEL KENNEDY & FRIENDS Birmingham Mar, Foxlowe Arts Hare & Hounds, B’ham Special gala celebration show fea- SING FOR A CAUSE Fri 10 Centre, Staffordshire ACDC EXPERIENCE Thurs Mar, Theatre Severn, turing world-renowned violinist 9 Mar, The Slade Shrewsbury BONAFIDE Sun 12 Mar, Nigel Kennedy, Sat 11 Mar, Rooms, W’hampton O2 Academy, B’ham UNIVERSITY BRASS BAND Symphony Hall, Birmingham Theatre WAYNE DILKS AS & SAX CHOIR Fri 10 Mar, CRAOBH RUA Sun 12 GEORGE MICHAEL Thurs The Bramall, B’ham Mar, Lichfield Guildhall, 9 Mar, The River Staffordshire PSYCHIC SALLY Evening of medi- SOLID SOUL Fri 10 - Sat Rooms, umship, Mon 6 Mar, Theatre Severn, 11 Mar, The Jam DAN REED NETWORK Stourbridge Shrewsbury House, Birmingham Sun 12 Mar, The Robin, THE HIGH TONES Thurs Bilston SHIRLEY VALENTINE VENKMAN, DELTA Jodie Prenger 9 Mar, The Jam House, AUTUMN, REPEAT OF THE FUREYS Sun 12 takes the lead in Willy Russell’s Birmingham heart-warming comedy, Mon 6 - Sat LAST WEEK Sat 11 Mar, Mar, Stafford 11 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, THE SWEET AND TENDER Hare & Hounds, B’ham Gatehouse Theatre HOOLIGANS Thurs 9 Birmingham TEEDRA MOSES Sat 11 80'S INVASION TOUR Mar, The Roadhouse, THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story Mar, O2 Institute, 2017 Sun 12 Mar, Town Birmingham of unconditional love from the UK's Birmingham Hall, Birmingham

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Monday 6 - Sunday 12 March

leading full-mask theatre company, 9 Mar, The Talbot Theatre, Vamos, Tues 7 - Wed 8 Mar, Theatre Whitchurch Severn, Shrewsbury LABELS Worklight Theatre's award- BETTY BLUE EYES Walsall Operatic winning show, exploring the issues of Society present an amateur produc- mixed heritage and immigration, tion of the popular musical comedy, Thurs 9 Mar, Old Joint Stock Theatre, based on Alan Bennett’s A Private Birmingham Function, Tues 7 - Sat 11 Mar, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO Birmingham Lichfield Garrick Conservatoire presents its version of BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL Smash-hit Mozart’s quintessential opera, Thurs musical based on the Oscar-nominat- 9 - Sat 11 Mar, The Crescent Theatre, ed movie of the same name and fea- Birmingham turing a timeless score by Elton KISS ME KATE Kidderminster Operatic John, Tues 7 Mar - Sat 29 Apr, Society present an amateur staging Birmingham Hippodrome of Cole Porter’s classic musical, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY DOUBLE Thurs 9 - Sat 18 Mar, The Rose BILL Two works from Midlands writers Theatre, Kidderminster for International Women’s Day 2017: DANCING BEAR, DANCING BEAR Award- Save Our School Dinners... Jamie! - winning company Gameshow pres- a new comedy-drama about a gang ent a story about men and women of dinner ladies - and Moorville and how they relate to each other, Fri Theatre’s Lite - a multimedia stage 10 Mar, mac, Birmingham production exploring themes of iden- tity, self-image and skin lightening THE FIZZOGS: THE SUCK IT AND SEE through a young black woman’s TOUR Fri 10 Mar, The Place, eyes, Wed 8 Mar, The Old Rep. Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire Birmingham I AM A BEAST Sparkle & Dark fuse life- THE ODYSSEY Based on Homer’s epic sized puppetry and live music in this poem and performed by Rabbit award-winning exploration of the power of grief and childish imagina- Theatre, Wed 8 Mar, Arena Theatre, Africarmen By Tavaziva - The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome Wolverhampton tion, Fri 10 Mar, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton the world of colours with a curious lit- CHEKOV SHORTS European Arts pres- tle owl who’s determined to stay ent a collection of classic one-act TALES AND TONIC Opportunity to pre- awake to see what daylight brings, Talks farces by Anton Chekov, including view some of the work-in-progress Sat 11 - Sun 12 Mar, mac, B’ham The Evils Of Tobacco, The Dimwit, shows being produced by The REP's AN EVENING WITH LEVISON WOOD The The Bear, Swan Song and The brightest new talent, Fri 10 Mar - Fri 7 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Iqbal Khan bestselling author, photographer and Proposal, Wed 8 Mar, Brewhouse Apr, The REP, Birmingham returns to the RSC to direct TV presenter shares stories about his Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent ONE LOVE: THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and experiences and exploits as a mod- Premiere of a new musical focusing power, Sat 11 Mar - Thurs 7 Sept, ern-day explorer, Wed 8 Mar, Stafford on a defining period in the life and Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Gatehouse Theatre career of Bob Marley, Fri 10 Mar - Sat Stratford-upon-Avon 15 Apr, The REP, Birmingham DARE DEVIL RIDES TO JARAMA STEVE PARISH MAD TOUR An evening hosted by Steve’s daughter, Frankie, FIONA COFFEY CABARET: A TOUCH OF Townsend Productions present a in which she talks about her father’s MRS ROBINSON Cabaret inspired by new play commissioned by the life, loves and experiences, Fri 10 the woman who seduced The International Brigades Memorial Mar, Festival Drayton Centre, Market Graduate and became a legend in Trust, Sun 12 Mar, mac, Birmingham Drayton, North Shropshire her own leopard print, Sat 11 Mar, VOICES OF EXPERIENCE A ‘compelling’ Meole Brace Peace Memorial Hall, afternoon giving voice to regional BANG! SAID THE GUN Evening of Shrewsbury creative writing talents, presented to stand-up poetry for people who don’t like poetry, Sun 12 Mar, Stafford PARADISE LOST (LIES UNOPENED BESIDE mark International Women’s Day, Gatehouse Theatre TONY STOCKWELL An evening of psy- ME) Lost Dog Theatre company stag- Sun 12 Mar, mac, Birmingham chic mediumship, Wed 8 Mar, Prince ing of Milton’s epic poem, Sat 11 PETER ALLIS: A QUESTION OF GOLF A Of Wales Centre, Cannock Mar, Quatt Village Hall, Bridgnorth, light-hearted evening with the leg- THE FARAWAY TREE Stafford South Shropshire endary golfer, followed by a Q&A session, Tues 14 Mar, Lichfield Gatehouse Youth Group 3 present a THE CLUB New comedy by Ruaraidh Garrick staging based on Enid Blyton’s Murray, described as Phoenix Nights Dance famous book, Wed 8 - Fri 10 Mar, meets The Sopranos, Sat 11 Mar, WHAT'S ON TOUR AND TALK SAREHOLE Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham STORIES: DECLINE AND RISE OF CINDERELLA Vienna Festival Ballet SAREHOLE MILL Learn how Sarehole MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL All-singing, BEYOND THE BARRICADE Past principal present a combination of pure classi- Mill was saved for future generations, all-dancing musical starring Cheryl performers from the cast of Les cal dancing and a touch of pan- as you're taken from derelict mill to Ferguson, Maureen Nolan, Rebecca Miserables recreate original songs tomime Wed 8 Mar, The Place, working corn mill in this illustrated Wheatley & Ruth Berkeley, Thurs 9 from the West End and Broadway, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, talk and tour, Tues 14 Mar, Sarehole Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Sat 11 Mar, Prince Of Wales Centre, Shropshire Mill, Birmingham Cannock AFRICARMEN BY TAVAZIVA An entan- THE NUREMBERG CHRONICLE: LECTURE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: THE NEVER END- gled story of desire, deceit and cor- BY DR ELAINE FULTON Part of ING NIGHTMARE Amalgamation of ruption unfolds in an African town- University Arts & Science Festival ‘bizarre, brave and beautiful’ acts, all ship where military corruption is rife. 2017, Thurs 16 Mar, The Bramall, woven into an Alice In Horrorland- Carmen defiantly ignores all warn- Birmingham University type story, driven by a mainly original ings to pursue a better life, but soundscape and performed with a tragedy follows her like a shadow in WHAT'S WHAT WITH JAMES WATT? The forked tongue firmly in each cheek!, the hot sun, Thurs 9 Mar, year 2019 will mark the 200th Sat 11 Mar, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, anniversary of the death, in Trent Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham, of inventor, industrialist, engineer and artist James Watt. This CHICKEN LICKEN Theatre for younger VIRAGO Sonia Sabri Company pres- is one of several events over the next audiences which fuses shadow and BLIND DATE Les Bordeliques present ent a dance-digital solo production few years which explore the man and rod puppetry with an original musical a ‘funny and touching’ performance exploring the light vs dark and real vs his legacy, Thurs 16 Mar, Soho score, Sat 11 Mar, Lichfield Garrick in which the characters express fairytale versions of female existence, House, Birmingham themselves through dance and WOW! SAID THE OWL Little Angel Sat 11 Mar, mac, Birmingham music in their search for love, Thurs Theatre invites audiences to explore

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 6 - 12 March - Shrops/Wolves/Staffs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:40 Page 3

Saturday 18th March ARRIVAL - THE HITS OF ABBA Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 23rd March SEANN WALSH Time: 8.00pm

Sat 25th - Mon 27th March JASPER CARROTT'S STAND UP & ROCK Time: 7.30pm

Wednesday 29th March DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Time: 7.30pm

Thursday 30th March TOMMY FLEMING Time: 7.30pm

Friday 31st March THE THREE DEGREES Time: 7.30pm

Friday 7th April SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS Time: 7.30pm

Monday 10th April THE LITTLE MERMAID Time: 11.00am & 3.00pm

Wednesday 12th April CLASSIC ROCK USA Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 01218

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 6 - 12 March - Shrops/Wolves/Staffs ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:40 Page 4

thelist NEW FILMS ON GENERAL Film RELEASE:

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Released from Fri 10 March, showing at selected cinemas

JAILHOUSE ROCK (U) CAT FIGHT (15) Drama/Musical. Starring Elvis DANCER (12a) SPRING 2017 Presley, Judy Tyler. Dementia ELLE (18) friendly screening. Wem Town KONG: SKULL ISLAND (12a) 2 March, 7.30pm Hall, Shropshire, Mon 6 Mar Michael George’s DANCES WITH WOLVES (15) RULES DON’T APPLY (tbc) London Varieties

Drama/Western. Starring Kevin THE CHAMBER (tbc) Tickets: £14, £13.50 (Conc) Costner, Mary McDonnell. The THE LOVE WITCH (tbc) Edge Arts Centre, Much THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES (tbc) Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 8 March, 7.30pm 6 Mar European Arts Company Chekov Shorts SULLY (12a) Drama/Biography. Starring Tom Hanks, Aaron Tickets: £10, £8 (Conc), £5 (Student) Eckhart. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 6 Mar Events 16 March, 7.30pm JACKIE (15) Biography/Drama. Thank You For the Music Presents Starring Natalie Portman, Peter YONEX ALL ENGLAND OPEN The Ultimate Tribute to Sarsgaard. Ludlow Assembly BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 Abba Rooms, South Shropshire, Mon 6 Tues 7 - Sun 12 Mar, Barclaycard Tickets: £20 - Wed 8 Mar; Festival Drayton Arena, Birmingham Centre, Market Drayton, CRUFTS The world’s most famous Shropshire, Sat 11 Mar dog show, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Mar, 18 March, 8pm OCEAN’S 11 (15) Comedy/Crime. NEC, Birmingham Tom Allen & Suzi Ruffell Starring Frank Sinatra, Dean THE RUM FESTIVAL Featuring over Hit the Road Martin. Mitchell Arts Centre, 100 different rums from around Tickets: £12, £10 (conc) Stoke, Tues 7 Mar the globe, live entertainment, EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT (12a) food and giveaways, Fri 10 - Sat Adventure/Drama. Starring Nilbio 11 Mar, The Bond Complex, 4 & 5 April, 7pm Torres, Jan Bijvoet. Foreign lan- Birmingham Theatre Ad Infinitum: guage, subtitled. Foxlowe Arts THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF Bucket List Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 7 Mar BEER 2017 The UK's largest col- Tickets: £12 plus ‘bring a friend for free’ COURT (PG) Drama. Starring Vira lection of beers and ciders from Sathidar, Vivek Gomber. Foreign around the world, Fri 10 - Sun 12 7 April 7pm language, subtitled. The Hive, Mar, National Brewery Centre, At Burton Town Hall Shrewsbury, Wed 8 Mar Burton-upon-Trent Bee Gees Fever DENIAL (12a) Biography/Drama. BOWMAN ANTIQUES Antiques, Tickets: £18 (Adv), £20 (OTD) Starring Rachel Weisz, Tom curios, vintage, retro and collect- Wilkinson. Old Market Hall, ables, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Mar, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - Thurs 9 Staffordshire County 11 April, 11.30am & 2.30pm Showground Mar; Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 7 Half Moon presents a Wrongsemble production & Thurs 9 Mar FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD Carnival- Three esque pageantry, giant skull pro- THE DOUBLE (15) Drama/Thriller. Tickets: £6, £20 (family of 4) Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Mia cessions, acrobats, dancers, Wasikowska. Includes pre- decorative art & costumes, Sat screening discussion. The 11 Mar, The Rainbow Venues, 15 April, 11am, 1pm & 3pm Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- Birmingham Egg Box Theatre: upon-Trent, Thurs 9 Mar The Moon & Me ULTIMATE DUBS UK 2017 Bringing at Burton Market Hall T2 TRAINSPOTTING (18) Drama. together the Ultimate VW, Audi, Tickets: £3 Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Seat and Skoda show cars from Bremner. Stoke Film Theatre, Fri all over Europe, Sat 11 - Sun 12 10 - Sat 11 Mar Mar, Telford International Centre, 18 - 22 April, 7.30pm Shropshire 2.30pm Thu & Sat Mat ARRIVAL (12a) Drama/Sci-Fi. LTC Youth Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKEND Les Miserables Renner. Ludlow Assembly Thomas and friends invite you to Schools Edition Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 10 join them on their magical week- Tickets: £12, £10 (Conc. & Mat) - Sat 11 Mar ends, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Mar, Drayton Manor Theme Park, HACKSAW RIDGE (15) History/War. 27 April, 8pm Staffordshire Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Shappi Khorsandi - ‘Oh My Country!’ From Morris Dancing Worthington. Old Market Hall, ST. PATRICK'S PARADE BIRMINGHAM to Morrissey Shrewsbury, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Mar This year’s theme is Irish Tickets: £15, £13 (conc) Dancing, Sun 12 Mar, Digbeth, LA LA LAND (12a) Drama/Musical. Birmingham Starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone. Wem Town Hall, IRONBRIDGE HALF MARATHON Sun Box ofﬁce: Shropshire, Fri 10 Mar; Ludlow 12 Mar, Ironbridge, Shropshire 01283 508100 Assembly Rooms, South DIRTRUN ULTRA IN THE BLACK BOOK ONLINE AT Shropshire, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Mar COUNTRY A scenic, urban loop www.brewhouse.co.uk BARRY LYNDON (PG) around the historic Black Drama/Adventure. Starring Ryan Country, Sun 12 Mar, Himley Hall Brewhouse Arts Centre, O'Neal, Marisa Berenson. The & Park, Dudley Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Hive, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 Mar LUXURY WEDDING FAYRE Sun 12 Staffordshire DE14 1AA Mar, Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, Shropshire

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 13 - 19 March - Shrops/Wolves/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:46 Page 1

thelist Monday 13 - Sunday 19 March Mar, O2 Institute, GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB system in the Bramall foyer, Sun 19 Gigs Birmingham Sat 18 Mar, Hare & Classical Music Mar, The Bramall, University of CURVED AIR Thurs 16 Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham Mar, St Paul's Church, BIRMINGHAM GAY SINGALONG WITH THE CBSO PEANESS Mon 13 Mar, Birmingham SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE 360 Programme to include Featuring the City of Birmingham The Sunflower Sat 18 Mar, St Paul's works by Mozart, William Hurlstone, Symphony Orchestra, the CBSO Lounge, Birmingham ALL TIME LOW Thurs 16 Mar, O2 Academy, Church, Birmingham Sofia Gubaidalina & Glinka, Mon 13 Chorus & Simon Halsey (conductor). KRISTA DETOR Mon 13 Birmingham L.A. GUNS Sat 18 Mar, Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- Programme comprises Mar, Stafford under-Lyme Mendelssohn's Elijah (highlights), 60', THANK YOU FOR THE The Slade Rooms, Gatehouse Theatre Sun 19 Mar, Symphony Hall, B’ham MUSIC Thurs 16 Mar, Wolverhampton LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH FATHERSON Mon 13 The Brewhouse Arts WHISTLE-STOP OPERA - THOMAS TROTTER Featuring the Mar, The Sugarmill, Centre, Burton-Upon AN EXPLORATION OF Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Staffordshire Trent EUROPE Sat 18 Mar, Choir & Paul Spicer (conductor). THE WEEKND Mon 13 Programme includes works by SURFER BLOOD Thurs The Brewhouse Arts Mar, Barclaycard Dvorak & Walton, Mon 13 Mar, 16 Mar, The Rainbow Centre, Buton-upon- Comedy Gigs Arena, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham Trent Birmingham Town Hall CHESNEY & CHIP THE VIRGINMARYS ROCK 'N' ROLL PARADISE JENNIFER PIKE CELEBRITY RECITAL JERRY 'THE KING' LAWLER Wed 15 Mar, HAWKES Mon 13 - Tues Thurs 16 Mar, O2 Sat 18 Mar, Ludlow Programme includes works by The Glee Club, Birmingham 14 Mar, Henry Tudor Assembly Rooms, Mozart, Syzmanowski, Vaughan Institute, Birmingham DANNY BAKER Thurs 16 Mar, The Place, House, Shrewsbury South Shropshire Williams & Wieniawski, Tues 14 Mar, DEVIN TOWNSEND Oakengates Theatre, Telford, HIGH TYDE Tues 14 Birmingham Conservatoire PROJECT Thurs 16 Mar, NO JACKET REQUIRED - Shropshire Mar, Hare & Hounds, THE PHIL COLINS O2 Institute, B’ham HALLE ORCHESTRA Featuring Sir Mark HAL CRUTTENDEN, ALAN HUDSON & Birmingham TRIBUTE Sat 18 Mar, Elder (conductor) & Gerard NANNA RADLEYS Thurs PADDY LENNOX Thurs 16 Mar, The NATHAN GRISDALE Tues The Robin, Bilston McBurney (creative director). Actors 16 Mar, The Jam Bramall, Birmingham 14 Mar, O2 Academy, BLACK STAR RIDERS Sat to be announced. Programme com- House, Birmingham SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Thurs 16 Mar, mac, Birmingham 18 Mar, O2 Institute, prises Beyond The Score: Elgar's HAZEL O’CONNOR Thurs Birmingham BANG TANGO Tues 14 Birmingham Enigma Variations, Tues 14 Mar, 16 Mar, William Aston JARRED CHRISTMAS, PAUL MCCAFFERY, Mar, The Slade THE STRANGLERS Sat Symphony Hall, Birmingham Hall, Wrexham STEVE GRIBBIN & MIKE WILMOT Fri 17 Rooms, 18 Mar, O2 Academy, RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Wolverhampton KOKOMO Thurs 16 Mar, Birmingham Featuring the City of Birmingham The Robin, Bilston THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Fri 17 Mar, TELFORD AND WREKIN GUNS 2 ROSES Sat 18 Symphony Orchestra, Robert Trevino Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury MUSIC SHOWCASE Tues LUKE DANIELS Thurs 16 Mar, The Sugarmill, (conductor) & Stephen Hough 14 - Wed 15 Mar, The Mar, Theatre Severn, Staffordshire (piano). Programme includes works TONY LAW Fri 17 Mar, The Glee Club, Place, Oakengates Shrewsbury by Rachmaninov, Bartok & Birmingham HANNAH & BRIAN Sat Theatre, Telford, Shostakovich, Thurs 16 Mar, PROPAGANDA Fri 17 18 Mar, Havana ANDREW BIRD, CHARLIE BAKER, MATT Shropshire Symphony Hall, Birmingham Mar, O2 Academy, Republic Bar and REED & SOL BERNSTEIN Fri 17 Mar, The STIFF LITTLE FINGERS Birmingham Restaurant, BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE Comedy Loft, Birmingham Tues 14 Mar, The MONSTER TRUCK Fri 17 Shrewsbury SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring PHIL BUTLER, TOM HOUGHTON & ANDY Robin, Birmingham Mar, O2 Institute, SENSATION Sat 18 Mar, James Southall (conductor) & WHITE Fri 17 Mar, Molineux Stadium, LAURA MARLING Tues Birmingham Theatre On The Steps, Nicholas Morris (organ). Programme Wolverhampton 14 Mar, O2 Institute, FOLLOW NATIVES Fri 17 Bridgnorth, South includes works by Paul Norman, BARBARA NICE, TONY HAWKE & DARREN Birmingham Mar, O2 Academy, Shropshire Poulenc & Schubert, Fri 17 Mar, HARRIOTT Fri 17 Mar, The Lamp Tavern, Birmingham Town Hall IDLES Tues 14 Mar, Birmingham ARRIVAL - THE HITS OF Dudley Hare & Hounds, JOE FOX Fri 17 Mar, Ort ABBA Sat 18 Mar, The BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SINGERS MICK FERRY & COMICS TBC Fri 17 Mar, Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham Place, Oakengates Featuring Julian Wilkins (conductor). The Mitre Inn, Stourbridge Programme includes works by CANAAN SMITH Wed 15 ALIVE AND KICKING & Theatre, Telford BRENDON BURNS, HARRY STACHINI, Whitacre, Monteverdi, Tavener, Mar, O2 Institute, U2+1 Fri 17 Mar, SOMEONE LIKE YOU Sat CARLY SMALLMAN Fri 17 Mar, Lichfield Spiritual arr. Whalum & Britten, Fri 17 Birmingham Route 44, Birmingham 18 Mar, Theatre Garrick Severn, Shrewsbury Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham HAZEL O'CONNOR Wed SCOTT BRADLEE & TOM ALLEN AND SUZI RUFFELL Fri 17 G4 IN CONCERT Fri 17 Mar, 15 Mar, The Robin, POSTMODERN JUKEBOX NIKKI ILES AND KAREN Mar, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Birmingham Town Hall Bilston Fri 17 Mar, O2 SHARP QUARTET Sat 18 Wenlock, South Shropshire Academy, Birmingham Mar, The Hive, JULIE FELIX Wed 15 SEMI-TONED All male cappella group RUSSELL HOWARD Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, Shrewsbury Mar, The Red Lion THE TREMBLING and winners of The Choir: Gareth Genting Arena, Birmingham Folk Club, Birmingham WILBURYS Fri 17 Mar, BAY CITY ROLLERS Malone’s Best In Britain, Fri 17 Mar, JARRED CHRISTMAS, PAUL MCCAFFERY, The Roadhouse, STARRING LES Allington Hall, Shrewsbury School MARTIN TURNER EX STEVE GRIBBIN & MIKE WILMOT Sat 18 Birmingham MCKEOWN Sat 18 Mar, WISHBONE ASH Wed 15 UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHORUS & Mar, The Glee Club, Birmingham Mar, St Paul's Church, FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Victoria Hall, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring JOJO SUTHERLAND, ALISTAIR BARRIE & Birmingham QUEEN Fri 17 Mar, The Staffordshire Daniele Rosina (orchestral director) & MARK SIMMONS Sat 18 Mar, Jongleurs Robin, Bilston DEVILSKIN & SUMO Julian Wilkins (chorus director). EZIO Wed 15 Mar, Comedy Club, Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, THE FUREYS Fri 17 Mar, CYCO Sun 19 Mar, O2 Programme includes works by ANDREW BIRD, CHARLIE BAKER, MATT Birmingham William Aston Hall, Academy, Birmingham Sibelius, Ginestera & Haydn, Sat 18 REED & SOL BERNSTEIN Sat 18 Mar, The Wrexham PETE BODDIS BAND + Mar, Birmingham Town Hall THE WAILERS Wed 15 Comedy Loft, Birmingham Mar, O2 Academy, PROJECT JAM FREEWHEELIN' BAND CHAMBER CHOIRS AND UNIVERSITY MICK FERRY, TOM HOUGHTON, DAMION Birmingham SANDWICH Fri 17 Mar, Sun 19 Mar, The CAMERATA Featuring Alexander LARKIN & COMIC TBC Sat 18 Mar, Wem Town Hall, Robin, Bilston Creamer and Matthew Brady CHARLIE WORSHAM Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Wed 15 Mar, O2 Shropshire MEGSON'S FAMILY FOLK (Camerata conductors); Bradley Gill ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 18 Mar, The Academy, Birmingham UNIVERSITY BIG BAND SHOW Sun 19 Mar, & Sidney Brass (Chamber Choir con- mac, Birmingham ductors). Programme includes works Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent KRISTA DETOR Wed 15 Fri 17 Mar, The by Mendelssohn, Bruckner, TOM ALLEN AND SUZI RUFFELL Mar, The Hive, Bramall, Birmingham THE DALEIAN SINGERS Sat 18 Esenvalds, Durufle, Monteverdi, Ola Mar, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Shrewsbury PLINI Fri 17 Mar, O2 Sun 19 Mar, Victoria Hall, Staffordshire Gjeilo, Whitacre, Parry & Tippett, Sun Burton-upon-Trent EMP!RE Wed 15 Mar, Academy, Birmingham 19 Mar, The Bramall, University of ASHLEY BLAKER Sun 19 Mar, The Glee The Sunflower KIOKO Fri 17 Mar, O2 IRA (POLISH BAND) Sun Birmingham Club, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham 19 Mar, O2 Institute, Birmingham BEASTDOME: KELP ROAD DODIE Thurs 16 Mar, JUMP THE SHARK Sat A sea-themed concert in the immer- O2 Academy, B’ham 18 Mar, O2 Academy, sive environment of the Dome Room, CROWBAR Thurs 16 Birmingham to complement the Kelp Road sound 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 13 - 19 March - Shrops/Wolves/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:46 Page 2

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 March

of unconditional love from the UK's show transporting young audiences Theatre leading full-mask theatre company, to a prehistoric place full of fun, thrills Film Vamos, Thurs 16 Mar, The Talbot and screams, Sun 19 Mar, The Place, Theatre, Whitchurch, North Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire THE COMMITMENTS Feelgood celebra- Shropshire NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tion of soul, direct from the West ORDINARY DAYS Adam Gwon's origi- End. Kevin Kennedy stars, Mon 13 - nal musical about growing up and Sat 18 Mar, New Alexandra Theatre, Released from Fri 17 Mar, showing at enjoying the view, told through a Birmingham selected cinemas series of intricately connected songs Dance BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (tbc) THRIVE Contemporary play devel- and vignettes, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, oped in collaboration with psycholo- GET OUT (tbc) Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham VERVE 2017 Four distinct dance works gists and inspired by true stories of MUSICALS DISCOVERED II Presented choreographed by international GLEASON (tbc) young people, Tues 14 Mar, The by the Night Project Theatre artists James Cousins, Carlos Pons Hive, Shrewsbury PERSONAL SHOPPER (tbc) Ensemble, Fri 17 Mar, Blue Orange Guerra, Leila McMillan and Matthias THE SALESMAN (12a) THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF VARIETY Theatre, Birmingham Sperling, Thurs 16 Mar, Artrix, Featuring special guest Anita Harris, KEIN APPLAUS FÜR SCHEISSE A portrait Bromsgrove Tues 14 Mar, Dudley Town Hall of a generation, fusing dance, trashy MK ULTRA The latest work from the HOME A tale of unexpected friendship pop, theatre, rollerskating, acrobatics highly acclaimed Rosie Kay Dance explored via a multi-sensory story of and love. Presented by Fierce, Fri 17 Company, a ‘supercharged mash-up discovery, Tues 14 - Wed 15 Mar, Mar, mac, Birmingham of thrilling dance, music & imagery’, Events mac, Birmingham THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, Birmingham Rep ALL SHOOK UP Wolverhampton of unconditional love from the UK's UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM'S ARTS & Musical Comedy Company present a leading full-mask theatre company, SCIENCE FESTIVAL This year taking the new twist on Shakespeare's Twelfth Vamos, Fri 17 Mar, SpArC Theatre, theme of ‘land and water', Mon 13 - Night, featuring the songs of Elvis Bishops Castle, South Shropshire Sun 19 Mar, The University of B’ham Presley, Tues 14 - Sat 18 Mar, BLIND DATE Les Bordeliques present Talks THE BIG BANG UK YOUNG SCIENTISTS & Wolverhampton Grand Theatre a ‘funny and touching’ performance ENGINEERS FAIR The UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, THE GONDOLIERS Birmingham in which characters express them- PETER ALLIS: A QUESTION OF GOLF A engineering and maths (STEM) for Savoyards present one of Gilbert & selves through dance and music in light-hearted evening with the leg- young people, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, Sullivan’s best-known works, Tues 14 their search for love, Fri 17 Mar, endary golfer, followed by a Q&A NEC, Birmingham - Sat 18 Mar, The Old Rep, B’ham Chelmarsh Village Hall, Nr session, Tues 14 Mar, Lichfield HAIRSPRAY Amateur production pre- Bridgnorth, South Shropshire Garrick SEWING FOR PLEASURE AND FASHION EMBROIDERY Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, sented by Get Your Wigle On, Wed THE THING THAT CAME FROM OVER WHAT'S ON TOUR AND TALK SAREHOLE NEC, Birmingham 15 - Sat 18 Mar, Theatre Severn, THERE Critically acclaimed Gonzo STORIES: DECLINE AND RISE OF Shrewsbury Moose present a ‘rip-roaring comedy SAREHOLE MILL Learn how Sarehole HOBBYCRAFTS All the latest supplies THE KING LEAR Shifting Sands present adventure’, Fri 17 Mar, Arena Mill was saved for future generations, and cutting-edge ideas in the world their own version of Shakespeare’s Theatre, Wolverhampton as you're taken from derelict mill to of creativity, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 Mar, classic play, Wed 15 Mar, Theatre NABUCCO Opera & Ballet International working corn mill in this illustrated NEC, Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury present an Ellen Kent production of talk and tour, Tues 14 Mar, Sarehole CAKE INTERNATIONAL The sugarcraft, MEET FRED Hijink Theatre tell the Verdi's haunting and melodic chorus Mill, Birmingham cake decorating & baking show, Fri story of Fred, a regular guy who just of the Hebrew Slaves, Fri 17 Mar, WHAT'S WHAT WITH JAMES WATT? The 17 - Sun 19 Mar, NEC, B’ham Regent Theatre, Stoke On Trent wants to get on in life. The only prob- year 2019 will mark the 200th SHIRE HORSE SHOW Fri 17 - Sun 19 lem is that Fred is a puppet, and WONDERWOMAN Notnow Collective anniversary of the death, in Mar, Staffordshire County that’s where his dependency issues present a show that looks into family, Birmingham, of inventor, industrialist, Showground start..., Wed 15 Mar, Arena Theatre, parenthood and work-home subjects engineer and artist James Watt. This SPRING STEAM GALA Get up close to Wolverhampton in a challenging, visual and immer- is one of several events over the next an array of steam locomotives, then sive way, Fri 17 Mar, mac, B’ham few years which explore the man and DANNY BAKER: CRADLE TO THE STAGE jump on board and venture back in his legacy, Thurs 16 Mar, Soho Danny presents a show featuring DING DONG MURDER ME ON HIGH! time, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Mar, Severn House, Birmingham anecdotes, games involving Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!), Anna Valley Railway, Kidderminster sausages, and his impressive six Brecon (Emmerdale), Mark Little AMERICAN FICTION SPECIAL EVENT NIGHT RUN Suitable for beginners, octave range, Wed 15 Mar, (Neighbours), Natasha Gray WITH GEORGE SAUNDERS The National regular runners and families, Sat 18 Birmingham Town Hall (Emmerdale) and David Callister Book Award-shortlisted US writer cel- Mar, Attingham Park, Shropshire BLUE STOCKINGS The Crescent Youth (The Bill) star in the world premiere ebrates the publication of his debut MARCH PLANT HUNTERS FAIR Featuring Theatre present Jessica Swale’s of the fourth instalment of Peter novel, Lincoln In The Bardo, Sat 18 nursery experts, stalls to browse and drama, charting the harrowing strug- Gordon’s Pratt trilogy, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Mar, The REP, Birmingham 150 acres of maturing woodland to gles of a small group of women at Mar, Lichfield Garrick MARY BERRY EVERYDAY Join Mary as explore, Sat 18 Mar, National Girton College, Cambridge, the first AIDA Ellen Kent and Amphitheatre she talks informally about her life and Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire college in Britain to admit women, Productions present a new interpre- her new book. The event also Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, The Crescent tation of Verdi’s classic opera. Olga includes a Q&A with the ‘icon of THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKEND Theatre, Birmingham Perrier, Alyona Kistenyova and Liza homecooking’ at the end of the Thomas and friends invite you to join them on their magical weekends, Sat BLOOD WEDDING Birmingham School Kadelnik star, Sat 18 Mar, Regent show, Thurs 16 Mar, Birmingham 18 - Sun 19 Mar, Drayton Manor Of Acting present Federico García Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Town Hall Theme Park, Staffordshire Lorca’s surrealist, blood-soaked PAUL CARROLL’S MUSIC HALL TAVERN story of doomed love and isolation, Comedy family drag variety show MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON A week- Wed 15 - Sat 18 Mar, The Crescent featuring Paul Carroll as Mrs T, Sat end-long celebration of all things Theatre, Birmingham 18 Mar, Mitchell Arts Centre, Stoke- great and geeky, presented by the team behind MCM London Comic PORTRAIT A frank, fun and provoca- on-Trent Con, the largest event of its type in tive look at the trials and tribulations SCARY SH*T Rhiannon Faith presents Europe, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Mar, NEC, of modern life as seen through the a show about friendship, being a Birmingham eyes of a young black woman, Thurs woman and asking for help... Sat 18 16 Mar, Arena Theatre, W’hampton Mar, mac, Birmingham THE PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW The UK’s largest event for people with a pas- DANNY BAKER: CRADLE TO THE STAGE MEET FRED Hijink Theatre tell the sion for photography, Sat 18 - Tues Danny presents a show featuring story of Fred, a regular guy who just 21 Mar, NEC, Birmingham anecdotes, games involving wants to get on in life. The only prob- sausages, and his impressive six lem is that Fred is a puppet, and WEDDING FAYRE Featuring a wide octave range, Thurs 16 Mar, The that’s where his dependency issues selection of exhibitors, including Place, Oakengates Theatre, start..., Sat 18 Mar, Lichfield Garrick cake decorators, photographers and Shropshire venue decorators, Sun 19 Mar, JURASSIC ADVENTURES Brand new Drayton Manor Theme Park, Staffs THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story

whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List 20 - 26 March - Shrops/Wolves/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2017 13:38 Page 1

thelist Monday 20 - Sunday 26 March Asylum, Birmingham RUSSIAN CIRCLES Sat SMALLMAN & GARRETT MILLERICK Fri 24 Gigs LIZABETT RUSSO Thurs 25 Mar, O2 Institute, Classical Music Mar, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham 23 Mar, SpArC, Birmingham IGNACIO LOPEZ, SIMON EMANUEL Fri 24 Bishops Castle, THE BLUE NOTES Sat 25 UNIVERSITY CAMERATA Featuring Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre SONIC BOOM SIX Mon Shropshire Mar, The Actress & Daniel Mahoney & James Naylor 20 Mar, O2 Academy, SEANN WALSH Fri 24 Mar, Festival Bishop, Birmingham (conductors). Programme includes Birmingham OLLY MURS Thurs 23 - Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, North Sat 25 Mar, Genting 1977 - THE YEAR PUNK works by Rameau, Victoria, Elgar & Shropshire PRIDES Mon 20 Mar, Laurisden, Mon 20 Mar, The Barber Arena, Birminghamß EXPLODED Sat 25 Mar, BEAT THE GONG Fri 24 Mar, The The Flapper, B’ham Institute, Birmingham PROPAGANDA Fri 24 The Robin, Bilston Elephant & Castle, Stourbridge LUKE DANIELS - JUST CALL ME GOD The Final Speech Mar, O2 Academy, GORDIE MACKEEMAN TOM STADE, JOHN FOTHERGILL, IAN REVOLVE & ROTATE: THE of a Dictator featuring John Birmingham AND HIS RHYTHM BOYS STONE & ELLIOT STEEL Sat 25 Mar, The POLYPHON CHRONICLES Malcovich (actor), Sophie von Kessel JAMES MASLOW Fri 24 Sat 25 Mar, Festival Glee Club, Birmingham Mon 20 Mar, Kitchen (actress), Martin Haselbock (organ & Mar, O2 Institute, Drayton Centre, Garden Cafe, B’ham musical concept), Franz MANDY KNIGHT, JOHN MOLONEY Sat 25 Birmingham Shropshire DAMIEN O'KANE TRIO & Danksagmüller (live electronics) & Mar, Jongleurs Comedy Club, B’ham BILL KIRCHEN Sat 25 DAOIRI FARRELL Tues MALLORY KNOX Fri 24 Michael Sturminger (writer & direc- THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Sat 25 Mar, Artrix Mar, O2 Institute, Mar, Foxlowe Arts 21 Mar, Henry Tudor tor). Programme includes additional DIANE SPENCER, CHRISTIAN REILLY, JIM Birmingham Centre, Staffordshire House, Shrewsbury works by Bach, Franck, Widor, SMALLMAN & GARRETT MILLERICK Sat MAD4BRIT Sat 25 Mar, THE EARLY NOVEMBER ED GEATER Fri 24 Mar, Messiaen & Ligeti, Tues 21 Mar, 25 Mar, The Comedy Loft, B’ham Hare & Hounds, The Roadhouse, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tues 21 Mar, O2 ROFL COMEDY CLUB Sat 25 Mar, The Birmingham Birmingham Institute, Birmingham I FAGIOLINI: FLAMING HEART Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent STAR OF THE SEA Sat 25 ANTHONY MARSDEN CHRIS PAYNE, DJ RUSTY Comprising a programme to cele- Mar, Irish Centre, COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 25 Mar, QUARTET Tues 21 Mar EGAN, SCARLET brate Monteverdi’s unique expressive Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse Theatre The Jam House, FANTASTIC & TEN:TEN genius, Wed 22 Mar, The Barber Birmingham Fri 24 Mar, The KILLERSTREAM Sat 25 Institute, University of Birmingham JASPER CARROTT'S STAND UP & ROCK Flapper, Birmingham Mar, The River Rooms, Sat 25 - Mon 27 Mar, The Place, CLUB DRIVE Tues 21 ANDRE RIEU Stourbridge Wed 22 Mar, Genting Oakengates Theatre, Telford Mar, The Sunflower SKLAMBERG & THE Arena, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham SHEPHERDS Fri 24 Mar, CAPTAIN HORIZON Sat mac, Birmingham 25 Mar, O2 Academy, FRONTIERS: RECORDER FUTURES SUICIDE SILENCE Wed Birmingham Featuring members of the 22 Mar, O2 Academy, JAMES ARTHUR Fri 24 Conservatoire Recorder Department, Mar, O2 Academy, Birmingham BLUE ZOO & AGENTS OF Thurs 23 Mar, Birmingham Birmingham EVOLUTION Sat 25 Mar, Theatre CLOUD NOTHINGS Wed Conservatoire AC/DC UK Fri 24 Mar, The Flapper, B’ham 22 Mar, Hare & RODRIGO'S GUITAR CONCERTO The Roadhouse, HAKEN Sat 25 Mar, O2 JON RONSON'S PSYCHOPATH NIGHT Join Hounds, Birmingham Featuring Josep Pons (conductor) & Birmingham Academy, B’ham Ronson as he recounts the funny, terri- BATTLE BEAST Wed 22 Canizares (guitar). Programme fying and compelling events that led to MARTIN TAYLOR Fri 24 THE DUBLIN LEGENDS Mar, The Slade includes works by Turina, Rodrigo, his bestselling book, The Psychopath Mar, Lichfield Sat 25 Mar, William Rooms, Falla & Ravel, Thurs 23 Mar, Test, Mon 20 Mar, The REP, B’ham Wolverhampton Guildhall, Staffordshire Aston Hall, Wrexham Symphony Hall, Birmingham MR BLOOM’S NURSERY LIVE! Interactive IAN PROWSE - NEW ORLEANS HEAT Sat WARPAINT Wed 22 Mar, UNIVERSITY WOMAN'S CHOIR show to entertain parents and tiddlers FIREWORKS 25TH TOUR 25 Mar, Ludlow O2 Institute, B’ham Featuring Simon Carrington (conduc- alike, Mon 20 - Tues 21 Mar, Fri 24 Mar, The Slade Assembly Rooms, THE STRAWBS Wed 22 tor) Programme includes works by Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Rooms, South Shropshire Mar, The Robin, Cozzolani, Verdi & Gardner, Fri 24 GHOST Brand new production, based Wolverhampton A R RAHMAN Sat 25 Bilston Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham on the Academy Award-winning movie T.REXTASY Fri 24 Mar, Mar, Barclaycard KOJO FUNDS Wed 22 HALLE ORCHESTRA Featuring Lahav starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore Theatre Severn, Arena, Birmingham Mar, O2 Institute, Shani (conductor) & Sofya Gulyak & Whoopi Goldberg. The show stars Shrewsbury Birmingham MARTI PELLOW Sat 25 (soloist). Programme includes works Carolyn Maitland as Molly, Jacqui GA GA Fri 24 Mar, The Mar, Birmingham Town ALSARAH & THE by Stravinsky & Rachmaninov, Fri 24 Dubois as Oda Mai Brown, Sam Brewhouse Arts Hall NUBATONES Thurs 23 Mar, Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on- Ferriday as Carl and Andy Moss as Centre, Burton-upon- Mar, Hare & Hounds, SYNERGY Sat 25 Mar, Trent Sam, Mon 20 - Sat 25 Mar, Regent Trent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham Havana Republic Bar TELFORD ORCHESTRA Featuring Tom BOAT TO ROW Fri 24 and Restaurant, SINKANE Thurs 23 Mar, Payne (guest conductor) & Alison INVINCIBLE Torben Betts’ abrasive com- Mar, mac, Birmingham Shrewsbury Hare & Hounds, Matthews (leader). Programme edy about the class divide, Tues 21 - Birmingham MAD DOG MCREA Fri 24 ARMORED SAINT Sat 25 includes works by Sibelius, Haydn & Sat 25 Mar, Lichfield Garrick Mar, The Sugarmill, Mar, O2 Institute, GRAHAM CUNNINGTON, Schubert, Sat 25 Mar, St Michael’s HYSTERIA London Classic Theatre Staffordshire Birmingham PAUL JAMROZY, GNOD & Church, Madeley, Telford present Terry Johnson’s farce, which MUTATE Thurs 23 Mar, GIN ANNIE BAND Fri 24 PETER KNIGHT'S CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET explores the fallout when two of the The Flapper, B’ham Mar, The River Rooms, GIGSPANNER Sun 26 Programme includes works by 20th century’s most brilliant and origi- Stourbridge Mar, Lichfield Beethoven, Shostakovich & Brahms, nal minds collide, Tues 21 - Sat 25 TASITA D'MOUR - A Mar, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- ORANMORE Fri 24 Mar, Guildhall, Staffordshire Sun 26 Mar, Maidment Hall, TRIBUTE TO TINA under-Lyme TURNER Thurs 23 Mar, Irish Centre, B’ham FALLEN & LIGHTWISH Shrewsbury School MR BLOOM’S NURSERY LIVE! Interactive The Jam House, CRAIG DAVID Fri 24 Mar, Sun 26 Mar, The show to entertain parents and tiddlers Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Robin, Bilston alike, Wed 22 Mar, Victoria Hall, Birmingham TONY KEARNEY Sun 26 LOVE/HATE Thurs 23 Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Mar, The Slade CLASSIC ROCK USA Fri Mar, Irish Centre, HOME Tale of unexpected friendship Rooms, 24 Mar, William Aston Birmingham Comedy Gigs exploring a new and unknown world Wolverhampton Hall, Wrexham DAVID BUSBY Sun 26 via a multi-sensory story of discovery, Mar, The Huntsman, TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 20 Mar, CREEDENCE YUNG JIMMY’S BIG Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Mar, Arena Theatre, Telford The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham CLEARWATER REVIEW IDEAS Fri 24 Mar, The Wolverhampton Thurs 23 Mar, The Sunflower Lounge, SAMPHA Sun 26 Mar, FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 22 Mar, The THAT’LL BE THE DAY A musical romp Robin, Bilston Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham through the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, with ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS JAZZY B Fri 24 Mar, DANTEVILLES Sun 26 SEANN WALSH Thurs 23 Mar, The comedy thrown in for good measure, Thurs 23 Mar, New Hare & Hounds, Mar, The Sunflower Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford Wed 22 - Thurs 23 Mar, The Roses, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham TOM STADE, JOHN FOTHERGILL, IAN Kidderminster Birmingham SWAMP DONKEY Fri 24 STONE & ELLIOT STEEL Fri 24 Mar, The MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS GOT HER HEAD THE ARKYARD SESSIONS Mar, The Asylum, Glee Club, Birmingham CHOPPED OFF Birmingham School Of Thurs 23 Mar, The Birmingham DIANE SPENCER, CHRISTIAN REILLY, JIM Acting presents a ‘ferociously icono-

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Monday 20 - Sunday 26 March

clastic’ re-examination of Mary’s Fri 24 - Sat 25 Mar, mac, B’ham MARCH life, told in 16th century Scots and ANYTHING GOES Ludlow College Talks Standard English, Wed 22 - Sat 25 present an amateur staging of Cole HIGHLIGHTS Mar, The Crescent Theatre, Porter’s musical comedy, Fri 24 - Birmingham Sat 25 Mar, Ludlow Assembly SPECIALIST TALK: WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE PRE-RAPHAELITES Join the SAT 11 MAR, WE’RE STUCK! Interactive show cre- Rooms, South Shrops 1.30PM & 3.30PM ated by award-winning theatre- house steward for a relaxed talk fol- MACBETH The Roses Youth Theatre lowed by a walking tour of the col- CHICKEN LICKEN maker Sarah Punshon and looking give a fresh perspective on into how ‘amazing and utterly rub- lection, which features work by A baby chick is born and Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Fri artists including Evelyn De Morgan, thinks the sky is falling bish our brains can be at maths’, 24 - Sat 25 Mar, The Roses, down. On the way to tell the and how we can best grow our Lizzie Siddal and Lucy Madox King, she meets Henny Kidderminster Brown, Sat 25 Mar, Wightwick Penny, Ducky Lucky & grey matter, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Mar, Turkey Lurkey, but there's a Lichfield Garrick ICONIC THE SHOW Steve Steinman’s Manor, Wolverhampton shocking surprise! all-new show delivers the best of £10, £7.50 Children A TALE OF TWO CITIES Shrewsbury the best soundtracks from some of Amateur Operatic Society stage a the coolest and most iconic movies musical version of Charles Dickens’ of all time, Sat 25 Mar, New novel, Wed 22 - Sat 25 Mar, Theatre Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham TUES 14 MAR, 7.30PM Severn, Shrewsbury Film JANE EYRE: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY PETER ALLISS - GANGSTA GRANNY Birmingham Rebecca Vaughan embodies AN EVENING WITH 'THE VOICE OF GOLF’ Stage Company’s acclaimed pro- Charlotte Bronte’s gothic subver- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL duction, based on David Walliams' RELEASE: Join the former profession- sion of fairytale romance, Sat 25 al golfer, Ryder Cup legend best-selling book, Wed 22 - Sun 26 Mar, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury and one of Britain’s most Mar, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre celebrated television com- DORIS THE DRAGON SHOW Join Doris Released from Fri 24 Mar, showing mentators for an evening DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen packed full of anecdotes, and her fiery friends in a show full at selected cinemas humour and stories. returns with a brand new live show, £19.50, £17.50 of giddy games, panto-style slap- AQUARIUS (15) Thurs 23 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse stick and audience interaction, Sat CHIPS (15) Theatre 25 Mar, Theatre On The Steps, LIFE (tbc) LABELS Worklight Theatre's award- Bridgnorth, South Shropshire FRI 17 & SAT 18 winning show, using humour and MOZART & SALIERI Rimsky- POWER RANGERS (tbc) MARCH, 7.30PM honesty to explore the issues of Korsakov’s rarely performed two- DONG DING THE LOST CITY OF Z (15) MURDER ME ON mixed heritage and immigration, hander, sung in English and HIGH! Thurs 23 Mar, Ellesmere College accompanied by piano, Sat 25 Mar, Arts Centre, North Shropshire Pratt's back and once again he is Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham in the ‘presents’ of murder! THE ODYSSEY Based on Homer’s SCREEN TIME Helen Timmins’ Starring Jeffrey Holland (Hi- epic poem and performed by de-Hi!), Anna Brecon drama, reflecting on the important Events (Emmerdale), Mark Little Rabbit Theatre, Thurs 23 Mar, (Neighbours), Natasha Gray things in life, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Mar, £19.50, £17.50 Students Snailbeach Village Hall, Nr (Emmerdale) and David The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Callister (The Bill) as Pratt. Minsterley, South Shropshire VICTORIAN MUSIC HALL EVENING Step THE FIRST HIPPO ON THE MOON back in time at the first in a series FORGET ME NOT An Alzheimer’s Staging of David Walliams’ space of nostalgic music hall evenings, Fri SAT 18 MAR, 7.45PM whodunnit, described as part social adventure for children, Sat 25 - Sun 24 Mar, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Hijinx Theatre in association commentary, part black comedy, 26 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre with Blind Summit presents part cluedo, Thurs 23 Mar, Theatre Shropshire CIRCUS OF HORRORS: THE NEVER MEET FRED Severn, Shrewsbury WALK THE LONG MYND SKYLINE A ENDING NIGHTMARE Amalgamation A cloth puppet ﬁghts preju- walk over the Long Mynd, Caer ROCK OF AGES Backstreet Theatre of ‘bizarre, brave and beautiful’ dice every day. Fred just Company present an amateur stag- Caradoc, and Ragleth Hill, com- wants to be part of the real acts, all woven into an Alice In world, to get a job and meet plete with stunning views, Fri 24 16+ ing of the award-winning ’80s- Horrorland-type story, driven by a a girl, but when threatened Mar, Carding Mill Valley & The with losing his PLA themed musical, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 mainly original soundscape and (Puppetry Living Allowance), Shropshire Hills Mar, Prince Of Wales Centre, performed with a forked tongue £15.50 Fred’s life begins to spiral out of control. Cannock firmly in each cheek!, Sun 26 Mar, THE TEENAGE MARKET Free platform PINK MIST Owen Sheers' powerful New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham for young people to showcase their creative talents, Sat 25 Mar, Red story about three men deployed to WATCHERS OF THE SKIES A secret TUE 21 - SAT 25 House Glass Cone, Stourbridge Afghanistan, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Mar, and an odyssey, told through story, MARCH, 7.30PM, The REP, Birmingham THURS/SAT MAT poetry, music and myth, Sun 26 REVOLTING RHYMES A phizz-whizzing 2.30PM THE ODYSSEY Based on Homer’s Mar, mac, Birmingham day of gloriumptious music, story- INVINCIBLE epic poem and performed by telling and art, to celebrate Roald From one of the most excit- Rabbit Theatre, Fri 24 Mar, Harley Dahl’s jumpsquiffling tales, Sat 25 ing playwrights to emerge Mar, The Barber Institute, B’ham since Alan Ayckbourn, Village Hall, Shropshire Torben Betts. THE SECOND BEST BED THOMAS AND FRIENDS WEEKENDS Liz Grand The smash-hit tour returns! stars as Anne Hathaway on the Dance Thomas and friends invite you to £15 - £26.50 night of Shakespeare’s funeral, Fri join them on their magical weekends, Sat 25 Mar, Drayton Manor 24 Mar, The Edge Arts Centre, MATERIAL MEN: REDUX A virtuoso Much Wenlock, South Shropshire Theme Park, Staffordshire piece for two dazzling performers THU 30 MAR - SAT 1 LABELS Worklight Theatre's award- of the Indian diaspora which BRITISH ALPACA SOCIETY NATIONAL APR, 7.45PM, winning show using humour and explores rhythm and location, as SHOW Sat 25 - Sun 26 Mar, Telford Lichﬁeld Garrick Youth honesty to explore the issues of dancers create new ways of International Centre, Shropshire Theatre presents WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S mixed heritage and immigration, belonging to each other and to the WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS Learn CYMBELINE Fri 24 Mar, SpArC, Bishops Caste, world around them, Mon 27 - Tues to build dens and light fires, Sat 25 A wild, giddy and immer- South Shrops 28 Mar, Birmingham Hippodrome - Sun 26 Mar, Trentham Estate, sive production full of mis- understandings, intima- OYSTER BOY Haste Theatre present Stoke-on-Trent cies, betrayals and battles a bittersweet tale of the trials of with heart-stopping poetry, WILD WEEKEND WITH STAFFORDSHIRE £15, £12 Students electrifying live music and love and what it means to be Other, WILDLIFE TRUST Join Staffordshire characteristic madness. Fri 24 Mar, The Old joint Stock, Wildlife Trust for nature-inspired Birmingham crafts, bug hunts, nature trails and FRAME OF MIND Riverside scavenger hunts, Sat 25 - Sun 26 BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 Performing Arts presents a fast- Mar, Trentham Estate, Stoke-on- www.lichfieldgarrick.com paced sketch show mixing humour, Trent news, music and personal stories LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, to explore issues of mental health, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

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thelist Monday 27 - Friday 31 March FIN TAYLOR, MAT EWINS Fri 31 Mar, The Gigs Classical Music Glee Club, Birmingham IVO GRAHAM, BOBBY MAIR, PIERRE NOVELLIE Fri 31 Mar, The Glee Club, THE DIRTY HIT TOUR LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Birmingham FEATURING: RAÚL PRIETO RAMÍREZ Programme SUPERFOOD, PALE JOJO SMITH, EDD HEDGES & DAVID includes works by Juan Maria WAVES, KING NUN Mon LONGLEY Fri 31 Mar, Jongleurs Thomas, Jesús Guridi & Julius 27 Mar, O2 Academy, Comedy Club, Birmingham Birmingham Reubke, Mon 27 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall HUNDREDTH, LANDSCAPES & SILENT ARMIDA QUARTET Programme includes PLANET Mon 27 Mar, works by Haydn, Narko Nikodijevic & The Flapper, B’ham Beethoven, Mon 27 Mar, Birmingham Town Hall SUPERFOOD Mon 27 Mar, O2 Academy, ANDREW RANDALL Winner of the Birmingham Andrew Downes Performance Prize, Emily Portman - Ludlow Assembly Rooms The Ashleyan Opera Prize, the John SLAVES Mon 27 Mar, Ireland Prize and the Edward The Rainbow Venues, Mar, O2 Institute, THE THREE DEGREES Fri Birmingham Birmingham 31 Mar, The Place, Brookes English Song Prize, baritone Oakengates Theatre, Andrew Randall performs in this spe- EMILY PORTMAN & THE STEVE TILSTON & JEZ cial lunchtime vocal programme, LOWE Telford, Shropshire CORACLE BAND Mon 27 Wed 29 Mar, The Tues 18 Mar, Birmingham Red Lion Folk Club, THE JESUS & MARY Mar, Ludlow Assembly Conservatoire Rooms, South Shrops Birmingham CHAIN Fri 31 Mar, O2 BEETHOVEN'S EROICA Featuring the LISA STANLEY AND HER NME AWARDS TOUR Institute, Birmingham City of Birmingham Symphony BAND Mon 27 Mar, The WITH BLOSSOMS Wed LIVEWIRE - TRIBUTE TO Orchestra, Jamie Phillips (conductor) JON RICHARDSON Fri 31 Mar, Theatr Robin, Bilston 29 Mar, O2 Academy, AC/DC Fri 31 Mar, The & Toby Spence (tenor). Programme Hafren, Clwyd JARROD DICKENSON Birmingham Robin, Bilston includes works by Sibelius, Britten & KEITH FARNAN, MIKE NEWALL, FUNMBI BAND Mon 27 Mar, GABBIDON Wed 29 Mar, STEVE 'N' SEAGULLS Fri Beethoven, Wed 29 Mar, Symphony OMOTAYO & DARRELL MART IN Fri 31 Mar, Henry Tudor House, The Jam House, 31 Mar, O2 Academy, Hall, Birmingham The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Shrewsbury Birmingham Birmingham BEETHOVEN STRING QUARTETS STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 31 DOC BROWN Mon 27 MIST Wed 29 Mar, O2 RICKY COOL & THE IN Featuring Zoe Beyers & Jane Wright Mar, mac, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Mar, O2 Institute, CROWD Fri 31 Mar, (violins), Adam Romer (viola) & mac, Birmingham Birmingham DAVE Thurs 30 Mar, O2 Richard Jenkinson (cello). STEVE ‘N ‘SEAGULLS Institute, Birmingham OLIVER DAWSON SAXON Programme includes Beethoven's Mon 27 Mar, The THE RAMONAS Thurs 30 & SLADE UK Fri 31 Mar, String Quartet in B flat Op.130 & Sugarmill, Mar, Hare & Hounds, The Roadhouse, Gross Fugue Op. 133, Thurs 30 Mar Theatre Staffordshire Birmingham Birmingham CBSO Centre, Birmingham THE MOONLANDINGZ BINKER & MOSES Thurs CAMERON FORREST Fri BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE BAROQUE BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY Tues 28 Mar, Hare & 30 Mar, Hare & 31 Mar, Havana ORCHESTRA Featuring Lucy Russell Award-winning musical, Tues 28 Mar - Hounds, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham Republic Bar and (director/baroque violin). Programme Sat 1 Apr, New Alexandra Theatre, SONATA ARCTICA Tues Restaurant, includes works by Rameau, BOOTLEG BLONDIE Shrewsbury Birmingham 28 Mar, The Slade Thurs 30 Mar, The Telemann, Mozart, Purcell & Handel, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR Rooms, W’hampton Robin, Bilston NEIL MCSWEENEY & Thurs 30 Mar, St Philips Cathedral, DREAMCOAT Starring Joe McElderry in THE DUBLIN LEGENDS VERA VAN HEERINGEN Birmingham GRAND MAGUS Thurs Fri 31 Mar, Hermon the lead role, Tues 28 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, Tues 28 Mar, Prince Of OPERA BOYS An evening of vocal har- 30 Mar, The Slade Chapel Arts Centre, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Wales Centre, Rooms, mony featuring some of the West Oswestry, North MADE IN DAGENHAM Sutton Coldfield Cannock Wolverhampton End’s leading men, Fri 31 Mar, Shropshire Musical Theatre Company present an JOHNNY FLYNN Tues 28 William Aston Hall, Wrexham DEL CAMINO Thurs 30 amateur staging of the West End musi- Mar, O2 Academy, SPILT MILK SOCIETY Fri Mar, The Jam House, cal, Tues 28 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, Lichfield Birmingham 31 Mar, The Sunflower Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Garrick JOEY JORDISON'S VIMIC AMY MACDONALD Thurs FUNNY GIRL Natasha J Barnes takes Wed 29 Mar, O2 BAY CITY ROLLERS 30 Mar, Symphony the lead in this touring production of Academy, Birmingham STARRING LES Hall, Birmingham MCKEOWN Fri 31 Mar, the iconic musical, charting the rise to ROOK CRUTCHES Wed TOMMY FLEMING Thurs Stafford Gatehouse fame of Broadway star Fanny Brice, 29 Mar, The Actress & 30 Mar, The Place, Theatre Tues 28 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, Regent Bishop, Birmingham Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Oakengates Theatre, A VISION OF ELVIS Fri BRIAN KENNEDY Wed Telford, Shropshire 31 Mar, Victoria Hall, THE EMPTY NESTERS’ CLUB World pre- 29 Mar, The Robin, PROPAGANDA Fri 31 Hanley, Staffordshire miere of John Godber’s latest come- Bilston CBSO: SPRING CLASSICS dy-drama, Tues 28 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, Mar, O2 Academy, KARKOSA Fri 31 Mar, Featuring the City of Birmingham New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- LEWIS WATSON Wed 29 Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Symphony Orchestra, Julian Wilkins Lyme (conductor), Anne-Marie Minhall (presenter) & the CBSO Children's THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story Chorus.Programme includes works of unconditional love from the UK's leading full-mask theatre company, by Delius, Vivaldi, Coates, J. Strauss Vamos, Wed 29 Mar, mac, Birmingham II, Grainger, Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Schumann, Copland & Beethoven, DOREEN'S GRAND NIGHT OUT Doreen Fri 31 Mar, Symphony Hall, returns with a brand new live show, Birmingham Wed 29 Mar, The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL All-singing, all-dancing musical starring Cheryl Ferguson, Maureen Nolan, Rebecca Comedy Gigs Wheatley and Ruth Berkeley, Thurs 30 Mar, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre NATALIE ANN CUTLER Thurs 30 Mar, THE MISFIT ANALYSIS Access All Areas Steve ‘N’ Seagulls - The Sugarmill, Stoke-On-Trent mac, Birmingham journey through a world of wheel-

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Monday 27 - Friday 31 March

thechairs and blow-up dollslist in an Sullivan Society, Fri 31 Mar - Sat 1 MOONLIGHT (15) Drama. Starring unconventional exploration of an Apr, Forest Arts Centre, Walsall Film Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp. Ludlow autistic mind, Thurs 30 Mar, Arena LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN Oscar Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Theatre, Wolverhampton Wilde’s witty assault on prejudice Fri 31 Mar DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE All & Sundry and hypocrisy, Fri 31 Mar - Sat 8 Apr, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: THE BRAND NEW TESTAMENT (15) present David Edgar’s dramatic Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham Comedy/Fantasy. Starring Pili adaptation of Robert Louis WINNIE AND WILBUR New play by BRIDGET JONES’S BABY (15) Groyne, Benoît Poelvoorde. Foreign Stevenson’s classic horror story, Mike Kenny, based on the bestselling Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée language, subtitled. The Hive, Thurs 30 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, The picture books created by Valerie Zellweger, Colin Firth. The Edge Arts Shrewsbury, Fri 31 Mar Crescent Theatre, B’ham Thomas and Korky Paul, Fri 31 Mar - Centre, Much Wenlock, South CYMBELINE Lichfield Garrick Youth Sat 22 Apr, The REP, Birmingham Shropshire, Mon 27 Mar Theatre present an immersive ver- HIDDEN FIGURES (PG) NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: sion of Shakespeare’s story of power Drama/Biography. Starring Taraji P. and jealousy, Thurs 30 Mar - Sat 1 Henson, Octavia Spencer. Old Apr, Lichfield Garrick Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 27 - Released from Fri 31 Mar, showing at HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS Dance Thurs 30 Mar selected cinemas WITHOUT EVEN TRYING Birmingham PALE MOON (tbc) Drama. Starring Rie FREE FIRE (tbc) Ormiston Academy Year 13 Musical VIRAGO Sonia Sabri Company pres- Miyazawa, Sosuke Ikematsu. mac, GHOST IN THE SHELL (tbc) Theatre students present their ver- ent a dance-digital solo production Birmingham, Tues 28 Mar sion of Frank Loesser's satire, Thurs GRADUATION (15) exploring the light vs dark and real vs NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (15) 30 Mar - Sat 1 Apr, The Old Rep fairytale versions of female existence, MAN DOWN (tbc) Theatre, B’ham Drama/Thriller. Starring Amy Adams, Wed 29 Mar, Arena Theatre, Jake Gyllenhaall. Foxlowe Arts SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (tbc) WALK OF SHAME Critically acclaimed Wolverhampton Centre, Leek, Staffs, Tues 28 Mar standup debut about sex, sobriety, sambuca and the modern addict that 20TH CENTURY WOMEN (15) lies within us all, Fri 31 Mar, Old Joint Comedy/Drama. Starring Elle Stock Theatre, Birmingham Fanning, Alia Shawkat. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Events THE BEST THING A Swinging 60s story Tues 28 - Wed 29 Mar of unconditional love from the UK's leading full-mask theatre company, LION (PG) Drama. Starring Dev Patel, SCI-FI CELEBRATES STAR TREK Garrett Vamos, Fri 31 Mar, Conquest Nicole Kidman. Wem Town Hall, Wang, Claudia Christian and Alan Theatre, Hereford Shropshire, Tues 28 & Thurs 30 Mar Flyngare joined by authors James IOLANTHE Amateur production pre- RISEN (12) Adventure/Drama. Starring Swallow and Una McCormack, Fri 31 sented by the Walsall Gilbert & Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton. Forest Mar - Sun 2 Apr, Telford International Arts Centre, Walsall, Thurs 30 Mar Centre

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